EECP
Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) therapy is a non-invasive mechanical treatment designed to alleviate the symptoms of angina, commonly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). By utilizing inflatable cuffs placed on the lower limbs, EECP facilitates improved blood flow, offering a potential solution for individuals who are not suitable candidates for surgery due to underlying health issues.
How EECP Therapy Works ?
EECP therapy operates by employing long inflatable cuffs wrapped around the legs, which are synchronized with the heartbeat to enhance blood flow. This sequential inflation and deflation mechanism effectively “milks” blood upwards towards the heart. Controlled by a computer linked to an electrocardiogram (ECG), the cuffs inflate during diastole (heart relaxation) and deflate as systole (heart contraction) begins.
Duration of Treatment
EECP therapy typically involves a series of outpatient sessions, with patients undergoing five one-hour sessions per week for seven weeks, totaling 35 sessions. This prolonged treatment regimen aims to induce lasting beneficial changes in the circulatory system.
Benefits of EECP Therapy
- FDA Approved: EECP therapy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Improved Blood Flow: The milking action of the cuffs enhances blood flow to coronary arteries during diastole.
- Reduced Vascular Resistance: By deflating at the onset of systole, EECP decreases resistance in leg blood vessels, facilitating easier blood pumping from the heart.
- Formation of Collateral Blood Vessels: EECP may induce the formation of small blood vessels in the coronary artery system.
- Stimulation of Endothelial Tissue: It can stimulate the release of essential chemicals within the endothelium, which lines the coronary arteries.
- Passive Exercise: EECP offers similar health benefits to real exercise, aiding in lasting beneficial changes.
- Peripheral Arterial Function: It improves peripheral arterial function, reducing oxygen demand on heart muscle.
Effectiveness and Longevity of Benefits
- Patients typically experience symptom improvement by the fifth or sixth week of treatment.
- Studies suggest that EECP therapy effectively treats chronic stable angina, with symptom improvement lasting up to five years in some cases.
- Approximately 20% of patients may require repeat treatment.
Risks and Side Effects
- EECP therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated.
- Mild side effects may include fatigue, muscle aches, bruises, edema, numbness, tingling, or skin irritation.
- Rarely, shortness of breath may occur, requiring medical intervention.
Conditions Treated with EECP Therapy
- Chronic stable angina
- Kidney failure
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Left ventricular dysfunction
- Lung disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Ongoing research explores EECP’s effectiveness in treating diabetes and heart failure.
Recommendations for EECP Therapy
- EECP may be considered for individuals with angina unresponsive to maximal medical therapy, where stents or bypass surgery are unsuitable.
- Professional organizations, including the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, recommend EECP for such patients.
Contraindications
- Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as aortic insufficiency, deep venous thrombosis, irregular heart rhythms, severe hypertension, or recent cardiac procedures, may not be suitable candidates for EECP therapy.
- Despite its proven effectiveness and safety profile, EECP therapy may not be widely recommended or accessible due to various factors, including treatment guidelines and resource availability. However, its potential benefits warrant consideration, particularly for individuals with refractory angina and limited treatment options.
EECP is for patients, it can be life-changing:
✅ Those who cannot undergo angioplasty or bypass
✅ Those who have had angioplasty/bypass but still have symptoms
✅ Those with low heart pumping (EF%)
✅ Those with multiple diffuse blockages, not suitable for stent/surgery
✅ Those with family history, seeking preventive care
✅ Those who don’t get relief with medicines alone
✅ Patients with 50–70% blockage and stable condition, who can be managed non-invasively
📚 Scientific and Medical References:
If someone you know is suffering from recurring heart symptoms and is not fit for surgery, EECP could be a safe and effective alternative worth exploring.