EECP THERAPY
Enhanced External Counterpulsation is an FDA-approved, non-invasive therapy for a heart-healthy future. It is a surgery free way to boost your heart's vitality
EECP Therapy
WHAT IS EECP?
Enhanced External Counterpulsation is an FDA-approved, non-invasive therapy for a heart-healthy future.
By employing compression cuffs on the legs, EECP therapy enhances blood flow to the heart, alleviating symptoms and contributing to an improved quality of life. This safe and effective approach stands as an alternative to invasive procedures like angioplasty and bypass surgery, often serving as a complementary treatment alongside medication and lifestyle adjustments.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF EECP?
Research indicates that EECP therapy not only ameliorates the quality of life and alleviates symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue for up to three years following treatment, but also enhances cardiovascular function and reduces the necessity for hospitalization. In essence, EECP therapy offers a non-invasive and valuable solution for those grappling with angina and heart failure, fostering improved cardiac health and overall well-being.
HOW IT WORKS?
EECP therapy enhances cardiac function by optimizing blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle, reducing the heart's workload through sequential cuff inflation from the calves to the thighs and buttocks during the heart's resting phase. Just before the subsequent heartbeat, all cuffs simultaneously deflate, allowing blood to naturally divert away from arteries with significant plaque and favoring healthy, unobstructed vessels, ultimately forming lasting pathways for blood to reach the heart, resembling a "natural bypass."
WHAT TO EXPECT?
This is a brief step-by-step explanation of the EECP therapy procedure.
- The EECP patient lies on a comfortable bed with a series of pneumatic cuffs (similar to BP cuffs) wrapped around the calves, thighs, and buttocks.
- Three electrodes are placed on the chest to monitor the heartbeats.
- The cuffs will inflate and deflate in time with the patient’s heartbeats.
- Cuff inflation occurs after each heartbeat—during diastole—squeezing the lower extremities and pushing the blood toward the heart. This increases the blood flow to the coronary arteries that provide much-needed oxygen and nourishment to the heart muscle.
- Rapid cuff deflation occurs before the next heartbeat. This creates a void in the blood vessels of the lower extremities. This decreases the effort exerted by the heart when it contracts during systole.
- Blood pressure changes are monitored by a sensor placed on one of the fingers.
- Vital signs are obtained before and after each treatment.
- The EECP therapist remains nearby to facilitate effective therapy and ensure patient comfort.
COMPARISON OF TREATMENTS
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation. The current treatment options for CAD include invasive procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). However, these procedures only aim to relieve the symptoms of the condition and do not offer a cure or prevent heart attacks. An effective, non-invasive alternative to these procedures is EECP.
EECP: A NATURAL BYPASS
During EECP, the blood flowing to your heart will naturally bypass arteries with significant plaque and instead enter healthy, non-diseased blood vessels, circumnavigating blockages. In time, these new pathways are reinforced and become lasting routes for blood to reach your heart beyond the blockages. This is why EECP is often referred to as a “natural bypass.”
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR EECP?
EECP candidates include patients with angina pectoris responding inadequately to anti-ischemic agents and coronary revascularization, who are inoperable or at high risk for operative complications or postoperative failure, who are poor candidates for PCI or CABG or continue to have disabling angina despite revascularization.