Glenda,

Thanks for your question.  EECP stands for Enhanced External Counterpulsation which is a form of therapy used to manage patients with persistent symptoms of heart-related chest pain, despite the use of optimal medical therapy.  This technique is one of the most popular treatments for symptomatic coronary artery disease in China.

The treatments involve the use of pneumatic (air filled) cuffs wrapped around both legs from calves to upper thighs.  The cuffs are inflated and deflated in synchrony with the heartbeat, and is controlled by a computer for the timing.  Each inflation occurs immediately after the heartbeat.  A course of treatment lasts for 7 weeks, and is performed 1 to 2 hours a day, 5 days a week.  Not all insurance companies reimburse for the treatments. 

The theory behind the treatments is the compression of the legs forces some blood back and into the coronary arteries, thereby improving the circulation to the heart muscle.  Over the 7 week course, this action may stimulate the growth of blood vessels that circulate blood around blockages (called collaterals) and overall, this improves cardiac blood supply that is long lasting. 

Up to 80% of patients report lest chest discomfort and improved lifestyle and exercise tolerance.  The treatments, however, are not suited to everyone.  Patients with severe high blood pressure, arterial blockages of the legs, venous insufficiency and history of blood clots, aortic aneurysm, or aortic valve leakage are not candidates.  Some severe forms of coronary artery disease may also exclude some individuals.  For a variety of reasons, EECP has not really taken off in the United States as a recommended therapy for heart disease. 

If a patient feels that EECP might be an option for them, they should discuss it with their primary care physician or cardiologist.

I hope this has been helpful.  Please review our website for more information on heart disease and treatment options. 

Martin Cane, M.D.