enlarged heart and narrowed aorta can it be treated with eecp?
My friend has been diagnosed with a narrowed aorta and a enlarged heart and they want to operate and from what I understand either bypass or replace the oarta. From personal experience I personally have faith in the EECP method and would like to know if will be suitable for the abovementioned condition.
Kurt van Zijl,
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.
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.
In the case of your friend, his aortic disease may prohibit him from being a candidate for this treatment. Also, the treatments will not reverse any coronary artery disease, reverse any enlargement, or correct his aortic narrowing. EECP therapy is intended for patients with symptomatic heart disease who are at optimal therapy. Your friend should discuss this with his physicians who can provide input based on their knowledge of his individual situation.
I hope this has been helpful. Please review our website for more information on heart disease and treatment options.
Martin Cane, M.D.
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