Is BEMER therapy safe for patients with a stent?

Safety of BEMER Therapy in Patients with Coronary Stents

BEMER therapy is not recommended for patients with coronary stents due to potential interference with stent function and lack of safety data in this specific population.

Understanding Coronary Stents and Safety Concerns

Coronary stents are delicate medical devices that require specific care to prevent complications, particularly stent thrombosis, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The safety of electromagnetic field therapies like BEMER (Bio-Electromagnetic-Energy-Regulation) has not been established in patients with coronary stents.

Types of Stents and Their Considerations

1. Bare-Metal Stents (BMS)

   • Require dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for at least 1 month 1
   • Less susceptible to late stent thrombosis compared to DES
   • Often preferred in patients with high bleeding risk or inability to comply with prolonged DAPT 1

2. Drug-Eluting Stents (DES)

   • Require DAPT for at least 12 months 1
   • Higher risk of stent thrombosis if DAPT is discontinued prematurely 1
   • Preferred for patients with diabetes, small vessels, long lesions, and left main disease 1

Potential Risks of BEMER Therapy with Stents

BEMER therapy utilizes pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) that could potentially:

• Interfere with the healing process of the endothelial layer covering the stent
• Affect the polymer coating of drug-eluting stents
• Potentially increase the risk of stent thrombosis, which can lead to myocardial infarction or death

Evidence Regarding BEMER Therapy

While BEMER therapy has been studied for musculoskeletal conditions 2 and has shown some effects on cellular processes 3, there is:

• No specific research on its safety in patients with coronary stents
• No mention in cardiovascular guidelines about the safety of electromagnetic therapies in stent patients
• Limited understanding of how the electromagnetic fields might interact with metallic stents or their drug coatings

Clinical Decision-Making Framework

When considering BEMER therapy for a patient with coronary stents:

1. Assess stent type and time since implantation

   • Patients with DES are at higher risk, especially within the first year 1
   • The critical period for stent endothelialization is 3-6 months for most stents 1

2. Consider antiplatelet therapy status

   • Patients on DAPT are at higher risk if therapy is disrupted
   • The guidelines emphasize that "prescribed premature discontinuation of DAT in patients treated with a DES should not be done casually" 1

3. Evaluate alternative therapies

   • For musculoskeletal issues, consider conventional physiotherapy without electromagnetic components
   • For circulation improvement, consider medically approved methods with established safety profiles

Important Precautions

• Any therapy that might potentially interfere with stent function should be avoided, especially during the critical healing period after stent placement
• The American College of Cardiology guidelines emphasize the importance of maintaining the integrity of the stent and antiplatelet therapy regimen 1
• The risk of stent thrombosis, which can lead to myocardial infarction or death, outweighs the potential benefits of BEMER therapy

Conclusion

Given the lack of safety data and the potential risks involved, BEMER therapy should be avoided in patients with coronary stents, particularly within the first year after implantation for DES and within the first month for BMS. The risk of compromising stent function and potentially causing life-threatening complications outweighs any theoretical benefits of BEMER therapy in this population.