Integrative cardiac revitalization: bypass surgery, angioplasty, and chelation. Benefits, risks, and limitations.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is still the main cause of premature death in the industrialized world. The revascularization modalities, bypass surgery and angioplasty, when successful provide restored blood flow to the myocardium. Bypass remains the most proven means for managing more severe cases of CAD, namely triple vessel disease with or without complications, while angioplasty works best for cases of single or double vessel disease with minimal complications. Both types of intervention partially relieve angina as they clear arterial blockage. Both save lives to an extent greater than medication alone. However, both are limited to being palliative since they fail to treat the underlying atherosclerotic occlusive process. EDTA chelation therapy appears to achieve revitalization of the myocardium, and is a viable alternative or adjunct to revascularization. Fish oils are now proven to help revitalize vessel wall endothelia and to partially reverse atherosclerotic damage. Being safe and having proven benefits, chelation therapy and fish oils can be integrated together with nutrients, lifestyle-dietary revision, exercise, and medications as necessary, into a cardiovascular revitalization strategy. Cardiovascular revitalization would be highly cost-effective and procedurally compatible with the revascularization modalities, while extending beyond revascularization to halt atherosclerotic progression, restore cardiac functionality, extend survival, and improve quality of life.