Chelation Therapy Study—Video Transcript
National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine
VNR Transcript
National Institutes of Health
Chelation Therapy Clinical Trial
VNRs in English and Spanish
This VNR is produced for the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, and is for free and unrestricted use in whole or part.
Media Advisory
Can chelation therapy prevent heart attacks?
The National Institutes of Health is conducting a nationwide study on the safety and effectiveness of chelation therapy, an investigational treatment for people with heart disease.
For many years, people with heart disease have considered chelation therapy, despite a lack of definitive evidence.
The NIH study is the largest clinical study to be conducted on chelation therapy. It is 20 times larger than any previous study and is designed to provide the answer to this important question. Results are expected in about 5 years.
Spokespeople- Gervasio Lamas, M.D.
Principle Investigator
Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy - Edward Grocki, Patient
- Roy Heilbron, M.D.
Site Investigator, Miami Beach - Julio Kaufman, Patient
For more information: Viewers may call 1-888-644-6226 or visit nccam.nih.gov/chelation
Dr. Lamas Interview:
What we're trying to figure out is if chelation therapy—as it's been practiced now for many years in the community—if it's really beneficial. And by beneficial what I mean is, does it prevent heart attacks? Does it prevent having procedures to open coronary arteries? Does it prevent strokes? Does it keep patients healthier? That's really what we need to figure out.
Dr. Lamas Interview:
What's landmark about it is we're studying an alternative medicine treatment. It's a treatment that's been out there, being practiced on patients, that patients seek out. And at the end of it all, we don't know if this is beneficial, if it's a waste of time for patients, or if it's even hurting them. And at the end of this study, we're going to have an answer, a definitive answer. That's how it's been designed, and that's really why it's landmark.
Edward Grocki Interview:
I had a triple bypass, see. I was lucky I came out of that all right. And when I heard about this program, I decided I might as well get involved in it. It's 40 weeks and I did about 26-27 weeks already. And of course there's a couple of years follow up. They keep calling up and all. So it gives me something to do.
They have to try something and somebody has to help out and take part in it. Life is not just taking. You've got to give once in a while.
Dr. Heilbron Interview:
In general, we are looking for people over 50 years old who have had a heart attack. That's the general group we are looking for.
Spanish Version:
Los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud
Los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud estan haciendo un estudio nacional sobre la seguridad y eficacia de la terapia de chelacion, un tratamiento investigativo para personas con enfermedades del corazón. Por muchos años, personas con enfermedades del corazón han considerado la terapia de chelacion, aun sin evidencia definitiva.
El estudio es el más grande estudio clinico que se ha hecho sobre la terapia de chelacion. Este estudio es veinte veces más grande que el estudio previo y está designado para proveer la respuesta a esta pregunta importante. Los resultados se esperan en aproximadamente cinco años.
Los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud
Este video noticiario es una producción del centro nacional de la medicina complementaria y alternativa, parte de los institutos nacionales de la salud. es para uso gratis e ilimitado en total o en parte.
Para más información
Los interesados pueden llamar al 1-888-644-6226 o visitar el sitio nccam.nih.gov/chelation.
Julio Kaufman Entrevista (en Inglés):
I am participating for 2 reasons. The first reason is an obligation to do it because of my health, my age, and how I'd be a good example for others. Secondly, many years ago when I came to the United States as a young man, many people helped me. I asked them how could ever repay them for their help. Most said if there ever came a time when you are in a position to do things for other people, do it.
Dr. Lamas Entrevista (en Inglés):
We are seeking 2,372 patients. That's a lot of people. That means we'll have to work in many centers in the United States,
and we are looking for patients who speak English but also patients who are Hispanic. All types of patients so that it allow us to arrive at a definitive answer. The study will take five years. It started in 2002. It will not finish until 2007. And in 2007, we'll have an answer, and that's what's important.
Dr. Lamas Entrevista (en Inglés):
This study is very important because it will tell us if there is a new treatment for an illness that is very common. Coronary artery disease is the number one cause of heart problems and heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Not only in the population that speaks English but the population that speaks Spanish. So that's what we have to do is find a lot of patients that want to participate with us in this study, and at the end of the day, we'll be able to answer this question.
Dr. Heilbron Entrevista (en Inglés):
This study's importance is that it will answer if chelation truly helps. For many years many people have used chelation therapy, while others believe it doesn't work. This trial will give us definitive answers on whether it works and how it works with results.
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