Neurosurgery clinics of North America
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Spinal cord stimulation in ischemic pain conditions has proved to be an effective method of treatment for many patients. The indications are ischemic pain in the extremities from peripheral vascular disease and angina pectoris. The long-term results show that the response rate for ischemic pain is 70% to 90%, while the corresponding results for neuropathic pain average approximately 50% to 70%, which actually makes ischemic pain a very good indication for SCS. ⋯ For angina pectoris, SCS by now has become a routine supplementary method to conventional medical and surgical treatment. The technique is clinically effective, and several studies have shown decreased myocardial ischemia and decreased anginal pain during treatment. It is probable that the use of SCS in refractory angina will increase considerably in the 1990s.