EFFECTS OF ENHANCED EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION ON ANGINAL SYMPTOMS AND OBJECTIVE MEASURES OFMYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA

Authors

RESEARCH CENTER, ISFAHAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE, ISFAHAN, IRAN

Abstract

Background: Enhanced external counter pulsation is a novel, potentially beneficial adjunctive therapy used for angina pectoris. We assessed the efficacy of this method in relieving angina and improving objective measures of myocardial ischemia.
Methods: All the patients (67) who were referred for EECP to our department from 2002 through 2005 were included. Demographic data, CAD risk factors and baseline angiographic data were collected. Anginal symptoms, CCS functional class, echocardiography parameters (EF, LVESD, LVEDD) and exercise test duration before and after treatment were compared.
Results: 77% of the patients who had undergone EECP had a positive clinical response. Exercise test duration and CCS functional class improved after the treatment. However, EECP had no significant effect on echocardiographic parameters. Efficacy was independent of age, gender, CAD risk factors, prior CCS functional class, echocardiographic parameters and baseline angiographic data. The patients without left main artery involvement demonstrated a greater likelihood of improvement.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that EECP is a safe, well-tolerated and significantly effective treatment for angina pectoris.

Keywords

Iranian Heart Journal
Volume 6, Issue 4
June 2005
Pages 34-37

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