A more recent study showed that the procedure relieves angina and improves perfusion (blood flow to the heart) during stress in patients with coronary artery disease. The research was published in the April 1, 2002 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
Doctors are uncertain exactly how EECP helps ease angina. The procedure may stimulate the growth of tiny blood vessels in the heart and help bypass blocked blood vessels. This would increase blood flow and oxygen to deprived areas of the heart. EECP may also improve the function of existing blood vessels.
Am I a potential candidate for EECP? What conditions can be treated with EECP?
People who suffer with chronic angina are candidates for EECP. The procedure is particularly well suited for people who are not candidates for invasive procedures or who do not want to undergo them.
Precautions
EECP should not be used for the treatment of patients with, or who develop the following disorders during the course of treatment with EECP:
- Uncontrolled congestive heart failure
- Severe heart valve disease
- Uncontrolled arrhythmia
- Hemorrhage
- Coagulopathy (a condition where the blood doesn’t clot adequately)
- Inflammation and blood clots in the veins in the legs, or poor circulation to the legs
Patients with blood pressure higher than 180/110 mm Hg or a heart rate of more than 120 beats per minute should have these conditions brought under control before treatment begins.
Are there any side effects or risks?
Most people who have EECP tolerate the therapy with no major discomfort, side effects or complications. The most common side effects are mild headache, mild dizziness, fatigue or muscle aches. A small number of people develop pressure sores, skin irritation or bruising from the cuff inflation.
Ask your doctor if you think you might benefit from EECP.
Sources
EECP – Enhanced External Counterpulsation. Univ of California, San Francisco, Cardiology Division. Accessed January 7, 2003.
EECP for Patients. North Suburban Cardiology Group, University of Chicago. Accessed January 7, 2003.
Enhanced External Counterpulsation. Discussed during the Cardiology Update 1997, October 16-18, 1997, at the Carmel Valley Ranch Resort, Carmel, CA. Directed by Parmley WW, MD, FACC, Chatterjee K, MBBS, FRCP, FACC.
EECP: A New Treatment for Angina. John Hopkins Health After 50. Accessed January 7, 2003.
Stys TP, Lawson WE, Hui JCK, et al. Effects of enhanced external counterpulsation on stress radionuclide coronary perfusion and exercise capacity in chronic stable angina pectoris. Am J Cardiol. 2002;89:7:822-824.
Lawson WE, Hui JCK, Cohn PF. Long-term prognosis of patients with angina treated with enhanced external counterpulsation: Five-year follow-up study. Clin Cardiol. 2000;23:4:254-258.
Arora RR, Chou TM, Jain D, et al. The multicenter study of enhanced external counterpulsation (MUST-EECP): Effect of EECP on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia and anginal episodes. J Amer Col Card. 1999;33:7:1833-1840.
Urano H, Ikeda H, Ueno T, Matsumoto T, Murohara T, Imaizumi T. Enhanced external counterpulsation improves exercise tolerance, reduces exercise-induced myocardial ischemia and improves left ventricular diastolic filling in patients with coronary artery disease. J Amer Col Card. 2001;37:93-99.
Previous Story
