Expulsion by Ionic Complexation: Benchmark Therapy for Atherosclerosis A Review

Abstract

Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelation therapy has been practiced since longtime for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, alone or in combination with other treatments. It has been recommended as a harmless, relatively inexpensive and non-surgical method of restoring blood flow in atherosclerotic vessels. Ability of EDTA to form complex with heavy metals like calcium, lead, copper is used to remove calcium from arthrosclerosis plaques which ultimately improves the condition. It can be concluded that chelation therapy is emerging form of complementary or alternative medicine to surgery and can be used in safe manner. Still there is insufficient evidence to decide on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of chelation therapy in improving clinical outcomes of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.