TACT: Chelation therapy reduced CV events in older patients with diabetes

Chelation therapy reduced cardiovascular events and death in patients with diabetes but not in those without diabetes, according to new data from the TACT study presented at AHA 2013.

Those with diabetes demonstrated a 41% overall reduction of any CV event; 40% reduced risk for death from heart disease, nonfatal stroke or nonfatal heart attack; a 52% reduction in recurrent heart attacks; and a 43% reduction in death from any cause, according to a press release.

Gervasio A. Lamas

“These are striking results that, if supported by future research, could point the way toward new treatments to prevent complications of diabetes,” Gervasio A. Lamas, MD, study researcher and chairman of medicine and chief of the Columbia University division of cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla., said in a press release.

Furthermore, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelation reduced the risk for death from any cause, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization or hospitalization for angina (37% vs. 25%; P=.002); and CV death, MI or stroke (17% vs. 11%; P=.043), according to data.

However, there was no significant benefit of EDTA in the subgroup of 1,045 patients who did not have diabetes, according to a press release.

The study was designed in a 2×2 factorial fashion for chelation and high-dose vitamins. Patients (n=1,708) were aged at least 50 years, with an MI at least 6 weeks prior and displayed creatinine levels of 2 or lower, with a follow-up of 55 months, according to data.

The diabetes subgroup analysis included 538 (31%) patients with diabetes, 265 of whom were randomly assigned to EDTA chelation. Of patients with diabetes, 76% were on statins and 93% were on antiplatelet or antithrombotic therapy. The most common treatment methods for patients with diabetes were oral hypoglycemic agents (70%) and insulin (30%).

Further studies are warranted to determine the future of this potential treatment option, according to a press release.

The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) was the first large-scale, multicenter study initiated to examine the safety and efficacy of EDTA therapy in patients with coronary artery disease and prior MI, according to a press release. The first report was published in March. Chelation therapy is not currently approved by the FDA to treat heart disease, according to the press release.

For more information:

Escolar E. Abstract #11546. Presented at: the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; Nov. 16-20, 2013; Dallas.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.