[Arteriosclerosis and chelate therapy]

Abstract

Based on a case history the therapeutic value of an iv-chelate therapy in arteriosclerosis is discussed. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) is used as a standard regime in the treatment of poisoning with heavy metals. The usefulness of EDTA in arteriosclerosis is doubtful: some authors suppose, that Ca-deposits are removed from arteriosclerotic lesions. This concept has not yet been proven by in-vivo experiments. Severe side effects such as hypocalcemia may cause the death of a patient under treatment. Therefore no real indications exist for treatment of arteriosclerosis with EDTA.