What is EECP ?
EECP stands for Enhanced External Counter pulsation. It is a non-invasive medical treatment used to relieve symptoms of angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. During EECP, inflatable cuffs are placed on the patient’s legs, and they are sequentially inflated and deflated to increase blood flow to the heart. This treatment can improve exercise capacity and quality of life for some patients with angina.
What Conditions are Treated by EECP ?
Enhanced External Counter pulsation (EECP) is primarily used to treat chronic stable angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. However, EECP has also been investigated as a potential treatment for other cardiovascular conditions, including:
- Heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Hypertension
- Erectile dysfunction
How EECP Works?
EECP therapy works by increasing blood flow to the heart during diastole, the period when the heart is at rest and filling with blood. During EECP, inflatable cuffs are wrapped around the patient’s calves, thighs, and buttocks, and they are inflated and deflated in sync with the patient’s heartbeat.
When the cuffs inflate, they compress the blood vessels in the legs, which increases blood flow back to the heart. When the cuffs deflate, there is a sudden release of pressure, which reduces the amount of work the heart has to do to pump blood to the body. This creates a suction effect that draws blood into the coronary arteries of the heart, which can improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to the heart muscle.
EECP therapy also appears to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. This may improve blood flow to the heart in the long-term, which can lead to lasting improvements in symptoms and quality of life for some patients.
Advantages of EECP
There are several potential advantages to using EECP therapy to manage angina and other cardiovascular conditions, including:
1) FDA Approved: EECP is FDA approved alternative to bypass, angioplasty and other heart diseases.
2) Non-invasive: EECP is a non-invasive treatment that does not require surgery, anesthesia, or hospitalization. This means there is no risk of infection, bleeding, or other complications associated with invasive procedures.
3) No side effects: EECP is generally well-tolerated, and side effects are rare. Some patients may experience mild bruising or skin irritation at the site of the cuffs, which are not termed as side effects of the treatment and also these symptoms usually resolve on their own, hence no side effects associated with this treatment.
4) Increased exercise capacity: EECP has been shown to improve exercise tolerance and physical activity in some patients with angina, which can improve overall health and quality of life.
5) Potential to reduce medication use: EECP therapy may reduce the need for medications that are used to manage angina and other cardiovascular conditions. This can lower the risk of side effects associated with these drugs.
6) Long-lasting benefits: EECP therapy appears to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in the heart, which can lead to lasting improvements in symptoms and quality of life for some patients.
How long does EECP Treatment takes ?
EECP treatment typically involves a series of outpatient sessions that are scheduled over several weeks. The total number of sessions and the duration of each session can vary depending on the patient’s individual needs and the treatment center’s protocols.
A standard EECP treatment protocol involves 35 one-hour sessions, typically administered five days a week for seven weeks. During each session, the patient lies on a treatment table while the cuffs inflate and deflate in sync with the patient’s heartbeat.
Each treatment session lasts about one hour, and patients may need to rest for a short period after the session is over. While the treatment is not painful, some patients may experience mild discomfort or fatigue during or after the sessions.
Overall, the length of the treatment course will depend on the patient’s individual needs and response to therapy. It is important to discuss the expected duration and frequency of EECP treatment with a healthcare provider.
Is EECP a recognized treatment?
Yes, EECP is a recognized treatment for chronic stable angina, and it is included in the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Guidelines for the management of patients with this condition.
EECP therapy has been studied in multiple clinical trials, and the evidence suggests that it can be an effective treatment for reducing symptoms of angina and improving quality of life in some patients. EECP therapy is also FDA approved for the treatment of angina and heart failure.
In addition to angina, EECP therapy has been investigated as a potential treatment for other cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Why Choose Us
- EECP is Non-invasive, Simple, Safe, and Risk-free.
- Neither Surgery nor Hospital Stay is required.
- Daily Routine Life of the Patient won't be disturbed.
- EECP is internationally recognized by FDA (USA), CE mark (Europe), etc.
- The benefits of EECP therapy can last up to 5 years
- More than 1000 people benefited.
- Stringent protocols are followed for all the procedures.