What is the success rate of EECP treatment?
Can EECP remove heart blockage?
Why EECP is not popular?
What are the side effects of EECP treatment?
Is EECP approved in India?
Who invented EECP?
How much does EECP cost?
Is EECP a substitute for heart surgery?
Can EECP increase ejection fraction?
What are the benefits of EECP?
Is EECP approved by FDA?
Is EECP an alternative to bypass surgery?
When was EECP approved?
EECP was FDA approved in 1995 for the treatment of coronary artery disease and angina, cardiogenic shock, and for use during a heart attack. In 2002, the FDA approved EECP as a treatment for congestive heart failure. EECP has undergone clinical trials at leading universities around the nation and been subject to over a hundred scientific studies ...
How many pumps does the heart have?
As a muscular organ, the heart has two pumps that are divided into an upper chamber (atrium) and lower chamber (ventricle). These chambers are linked by passageways with valves to ensure blood flow in one direction.
Where does oxygenated blood flow?
Freshly oxygenated blood then flows from the lungs through the pulmonary veins into the left atrium and then into the left ventricle. From the left ventricle, blood is pumped through the aorta to supply the body.
How long does EECP treatment last?
The treatment duration of EECP therapy is usually 35 hours, divided as one hour every day, five days a week for 7 weeks. During the treatment, the patient lies comfortably on a specially-designed bed. Cuffs similar to those used to measure blood pressure are wrapped around the patient’s calves, thighs and buttocks.
Is EECP therapy safe?
They found the EECP therapy safe and beneficial for functional as well as physiological improvement. A study that assessed long-term outcomes of EECP found that in around 75% of the patients, EECP successfully relieved angina whereas it also improved quality of life in 50% of the patients, over a two-year course.
Who is Jitendra from the Human Body?
Jitendra is a microbiologist and a passionate student of the human body. He is a firm believer in the power of alternative and holistic medicine. He believes nature holds the key to restore us back to health and balance.
Does EECP increase nitric oxide?
A study found that EECP acts to increase the production of nitric oxide (NO), which is a vasodilator (dilates the blood vessel) and decreases the production of vasoconstrictor endothelin (ET-1).
Is EECP safe for heart failure?
A joint study by Israeli and American scientists assessed the benefits and safety of EECP in heart failure patients. They found the EECP therapy safe and beneficial for functional as well as physiological improvement.
Is EECP a non-invasive procedure?
While inserting a stent or a surgical intervention like CABG remains the only hope for patients of advanced arterial blockage, a fairly new non-invasive technique called EECP therapy is being touted as a “miracle” for millions of sufferers of heart diseases. Is EECP really that effective?
Does EECP increase blood flow?
One, it increases blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscles, and two, it decreases the heart’s workload of pumping blood. EECP is also shown to increase the production of angiogenesis factors (substances that help formation of new blood vessels from older ones).
How long does EECP last?
3 . Other studies have shown that the improvement in symptoms following a course of EECP seems to persist for up to five years (though 1 in 5 patients may require another course of EECP to maintain their improvement).
Does EECP improve quality of life?
A small randomized trial showed that EECP significantly improved both the symptoms of angina (a subjective measurement) and exercise tolerance (a more objective measurement) in people with CAD. EECP also significantly improved quality-of-life measures compared to placebo therapy. 3 .
What is EECP in cardiology?
While several clinical studies appear to show that this treatment can help reduce symptoms of angina in people with coronary artery disease (CAD), EECP has yet to be accepted by most cardiologists and has not entered mainstream cardiology practice.
What is EECP in medical terms?
EECP is a mechanical procedure in which long inflatable cuffs (like blood pressure cuffs) are wrapped around both of the patient’s legs. While the patient lies on a bed, the leg cuffs are inflated and deflated synchronously with each heartbeat.
Is EECP good for angina?
Several studies suggest that EECP can be quite effective in treating chronic stable angina. 2 . A small randomized trial showed that EECP significantly improved both the symptoms of angina (a subjective measurement) and exercise tolerance (a more objective measurement) in people with CAD.
Does Medicare cover EECP?
Medicare has approved coverage for EECP for patients with angina who have exhausted all their other choices. In 2014, several professional organizations finally agreed in a focused update that EECP ought to be considered for patients with angina that's not helped by other treatments.
How is deflation controlled?
The inflation and deflation are controlled by a computer, which uses the patient’s electrocardiogram ( ECG) to trigger inflation early in diastole (when the heart relaxes and is filled with blood), and deflation just as systole (heart contraction) begins.
How long does EECP therapy last?
EECP therapy may also help decrease your chest pain and increase your energy level. The results of EECP therapy may last weeks or years after therapy ends.
How long does it take to get EECP?
You may need EECP treatment once a day, 5 days a week. Each treatment will take up to 2 hours. EECP treatment usually takes about 7 weeks to complete. If your symptoms do not improve after the first 7 weeks, you may need up to 12 more treatments.
What is EECP in cardiology?
Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a nonsurgical procedure used to increase blood flow to your heart.
What happens if your heart doesn't pump?
You may also have a blockage from a heart attack. When your heart does not get enough blood and oxygen, it does not pump well. This means less oxygen travels through your body. You may have chest pain, feel more tired than usual, and have trouble breathing.
Does EECP help with chest pain?
Your heart may pump better, and more blood may be returned to your heart from your body. EECP therapy may also help decrease your chest pain and increase your energy level.
What does a cuff look like?
Healthcare providers will place large cuffs on your upper and lower legs. The cuffs look like large blood pressure cuffs. The cuffs will fill with air, causing them to squeeze your legs. The cuffs on your lower legs squeeze first, then your upper leg cuffs will squeeze. The cuffs will then release the air.
Is it too late to quit smoking?
Do not smoke. If you smoke, it is never too late to quit. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you need help quitting. Eat a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. You may need to limit fat, salt, or sugar.
How long does EECP treatment last?
EECP involves 35 days of treatment. Each treatment session is for one hour and the patients are asked to come six days a week for six weeks. It is very important that the patients adhere to the one-hour time schedule fixed by the hospital or medical center and that the treatment is continued without a break.
What is EECP treatment?
EECP is the first nonsurgical, non-pharmaceutical, mechanical treatment for patients with chest pain and heart failure. It helps to increase blood flow to the heart muscles deprived of adequate blood supply. The beneficial effect obtained after the completion of treatment persists for years together. Thus any need for surgery is totally ...
What is EECP surgery?
EECP is a mechanical procedure that avoids surgery, is completely safe, painless and non-invasive in nature.
Is EECP surgery safe?
Now, a new treatment called EECP is introduced, which has been approved by F.D.A., U.S.A. EECP is a mechanical procedure that avoids surgery , is completely safe, pain less and non-invasive in nature.
How long does it take for a cuff to be inflated?
Just before systole (heart contraction), the cuffs are simultaneously deflated. The treatment is delivered for a period of 35 hours.
How long is a one hour treatment?
Each treatment session is for one hour and the patients are asked to come six days a week for six weeks. It is very important that the patients adhere to the one-hour time schedule fixed by the hospital or medical center and that the treatment is continued without a break.
How does EECP work?
EECP increases the blood flow to the heart muscles. The increase in blood flow to the area of heart muscle not receiving enough blood supply is achieved by two means by EECP treatment (1) Forming new vessels around the blocked artery. (2) Because of increase blood flow and pressure during EECP there is high pressure in open coronary arteries ...
How long does EECP last?
Benefits five years after EECP treatment are comparable to surgical outcomes. The effects of EECP treatment last from three to five years and sometimes longer.
What is EECP procedure?
EECP is performed to restore blood flow to the heart and to relieve chest pain (angina) and ischemia. The goals of the procedure are to relieve symptoms of coronary artery disease, enable the patient to resume a normal lifestyle, and lower the risk of a heart attack or other heart problems. EECP may encourage blood vessels to open small channels ...
How to manage heart disease?
To manage heart disease, the patient needs to make several lifestyle changes before and after the procedure, including: 1 Quitting smoking. Smoking causes damage to blood vessels, increases the patient's blood pressure and heart rate, and decreases the amount of oxygen available in the blood. 2 Managing weight. Maintaining a healthy weight, by watching portion sizes and exercising, is important. Being overweight increases the work of the heart. 3 Participating in an exercise program. The cardiac rehabilitation exercise program is usually tailored for the patient, who will be supervised by professionals. 4 Making dietary changes. Patients should eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, grains, and non-fat or low-fat dairy products, and reduce fats to less than 30% of all calories. Alcoholic beverages should be limited or avoided. 5 Taking medications as prescribed. Aspirin and other heart medications may be prescribed, and the patient may need to take these medications for life. 6 Following up with health care providers. The patient needs to visit the physician regularly to control risk factors.
When was counterpulsation first used?
The concept of counterpulsation is not new (it was first introduced in the late 1950s at Harvard), but the computerized technology currently available with EECP makes it a relatively new procedure, introduced less than 10 years ago. As of 2003 it is available in only about 200 centers across the United States.
What is EECP used for?
EECP is used to treat patients with chronic stable angina, coronary artery disease, or high blood pressure. Most recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved EECP for the treatment of congestive heart failure.
Is EECP approved for congestive heart failure?
Most recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved EECP for the treatment of congestive heart failure. The treatment may be appropriate for patients who are not eligible for such non-surgical interventional procedures as balloon angioplasty , stent placement, rotoblation, atherectomy, or brachytherapy.
Is EECP recommended for patients with heart failure?
EECP is not recommended for patients who have certain types of valve disease; uncontrolled arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms); severe hypertension; uncontrolled congestive heart failure; significant blockages or blood clots in the leg arteries; or those who have had a recent cardiac catheterization , angioplasty, or bypass surgery.
History of EECP Treatment
EECP conduct originated in China where it has been at length used since the 1960s. In the past 10 years, it has been introduced to the United States, where there are at present around 1200 machines in the procedure. The thought for EECP stems from the expansion of the intra-aortic balloon force (IABP).
How does EECP work?
The EECP treatment quietly but firmly compresses the blood vessels in the lower limb to gain blood run to your heart. Each wave of force is by electronic means time to the heartbeat, so that the enlarged blood flow is delivered to your heart at the accurate instant it is calming.
Stress Test
Persons will total a stress test prior to starting EECP treatment. This will set up their work out capacity and give final clearance to begin action. More highly, it will identify the severity, incidence, and duration of chest pain with work out.
Is there a hidden cost for ECP?
Another blessing in disguise about providing EECP or ECP is the the fact that there are NO hidden costs. Disposable costs related to treatment should never be a concern as the only items needed are three electrodes daily and one pair treatment pants for the patient.
Is there a financial burden for physicians when providing external counterpulsation therapy?
Therefore, there is little if any financial burden for physicians when providing External Counterpulsation Therapy.
Treatment
Operation
- The inflation and deflation are controlled by a computer, which uses the patients ECG to trigger inflation early in diastole (when the heart relaxes and is filled with blood), and deflation just as systole (heart contraction) begins. The inflation of the cuffs occurs sequentially, from the lower part of the legs to the upper, so that the blood in the legs is milked upwards, toward the heart.
Mechanism of action
- Second, by its deflating action just as the heart begins to beat, EECP creates something like a sudden vacuum in the arteries, which reduces the work the heart muscle has to perform in pumping blood. It is also speculated that EECP may help reduce endothelial dysfunction. The mechanism for the apparent sustained benefits seen with EECP is unknown. There is some evid…
Research
- Several studies suggest that EECP can be quite effective in treating chronic stable angina. A small randomized trial showed that EECP significantly improved both the symptoms of angina (a subjective measurement) and exercise tolerance (a more objective measurement) in patients with CAD. EECP also significantly improved quality of life measures, as compared to placebo therapy…
Benefits
- There is also evidence that EECP may act as a form of passive exercise, leading to the same sorts of persistent beneficial changes in the autonomic nervous system that are seen with real exercise.
Prognosis
- EECP can be somewhat uncomfortable but is generally not painful. In studies, the large majority of patients have tolerated the procedure quite well.
Risks
- But not everyone can have EECP. People probably should not have EECP if they have aortic insufficiency, or if they have had a recent cardiac catheterization, an irregular heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation, severe hypertension, peripheral artery disease involving the legs, or a history of deep venous thrombosis. For anyone else, however, the procedure appears to be safe.
Contraindications
- Based on what we know today, EECP should be considered in anybody who still has angina despite maximal medical therapy, and in whom stents or bypass surgery are deemed not to be good options. Medicare has approved coverage for EECP for patients with angina who have exhausted all their other choices. In 2014, several professional organizations (the American Coll…
Criticism
- In general, the cardiology community has largely chosen to ignore such an outlandish form of therapy, and many cardiologists fail to even consider offering EECP as a therapeutic option. Consequently, most patients who have angina never hear about it. Indeed, EECP is a little outlandish. It certainly does not look like cardiology. Nobody can really explain how it works. An…