Non Invasive Heart Care: EECP SAVES LIFE

Knowing what EECP is all about?

EECP or Enhanced External Counter Pulsation is a mechanical procedure in which long inflatable cuffs (like blood pressure cuffs) are wrapped around both of patient's legs.
While patient lies on the bed, the leg cuffs are inflated and deflated with each heart beat.
This is accomplished by means of a computer, which triggers off the patient's ECG so that the cuff deflate just as each heartbeat begins, and inflate just as each heartbeat ends.
When the cuffs inflate, they do so in a sequential fashion, so that the blood in the legs is "milked" upwards towards the heart.
Each treatment will last for 1 hour.

The inflation and deflation sequences

HOW IT WORKS?(See video of EECP)

This non-invasive technique provides augmentation of diastolic blood flow and coronary blood flow to the heart similar to the intra-aortic balloon pump (Angioplasty), utilizing the serial inflation of three sets of cuffs which wrap around the calves, thighs and buttocks.
While the heart is at rest, the treatment cuffs inflate from the calves to the thighs to the buttocks, which increases the blood supply to the arteries feeding the heart muscle.
Just before the next heart beat, all the cuffs deflate at the same time, which decreases the amount of work the heart has to do.
Inflation and deflation is timed to the patient's ECG and the arterial pressure waveform is monitored noninvasive.
The overall hemodynamic effect is to provide diastolic augmentation and thus increase coronary perfusion pressure; to unload systolic cardiac workload and therefore decrease myocardial oxygen demand; and to increase venous return and subsequently, cardiac output.
The treatment need to be done 1 hour a day, for five days a week which last for seven weeks, amounting to 35 sessions.

BENEFITS OF EECP

Low-Risk Treatment for Angina

A low-risk treatment for angina and heart problem, EECP gently but firmly compresses the vasculature of the legs to increase blood flow to the heart, ultimately reducing or eliminating chest pain (Angina) What is Angina? Click here

No Recovery Time or Pain

EECP can relieve angina and heart problem without surgery and hospitalization or the associated pain and recovery time.

A Natural Bypass

EECP increases blood flow to the heart, by opening and expanding networks of small blood vessels within the Coronary Arteries called collaterals. These channels can create "natural bypasses" around clogged arteries, boosting blood supply to oxygen-deprived areas of the heart.

Ultrasound showing the collateral arteries being formed surrounding heart muscles after 35 sessions of EECP treatment

Active Again

EECP can reduce or eliminate the frequency and intensity of chest pain and remove the need for angina medication. After treatment, patients are usually able to enjoy everyday activities, which frequently include moderate exercise, walking, gardening and travelling.

Generally, EECP is used to treat :

Chronic stable angina (lack of blood to the heart that causes severe chest pains)
Coronary artery disease, CAD. What is CAD? Click here
High blood pressure
Congestive heart failure What is congestive heart failure? Click here
Heart attack (MI) What is MI? Click here

The advantages of EECP are:

Non-invasive
Does not require a hospital stay thus eliminating other medical cost.
No recovery period
Allows patients to return to their routine each day after receiving treatment.
Very low risk.
Higher success rate.
Last longer before recurrence of other Angina.
No need to go for any invasive procedure (stenting & by-pass) anymore

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER FOR EECP?

This procedure is particularly effective for those who:

Have had Coronary Angioplasty /Stents or Coronary Artery Bypass graft surgery, but their heart disease symptoms have returned
Are not candidates for surgery because of other medical conditions (not fit)
Do not want to undergo surgery
Have diabetes
Have small vessels (often women)
Rely on medications
Normal healthy people, as preventive treatment.