OBJECTIVES To determine if arterial properties and wave reflection characteristics are favorably altered after enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) treatment in patients with refractory angina. BACKGROUND Early return of reflected waves from the lower body, resulting from increased arterial stiffness, augments central aortic pressure and increases left ventricular (LV) afterload and myoc...

The biological activities of propolis are varied from plant sources and the prominent antioxidant effects of Chinese propolis (poplar type) have been extensively reported. Oxidative stress is associated with inflammation and induces many diseases. In the study, to evaluate antioxidant capacities and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms of ethanol extracts of Chinese propolis (EECP) and e...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) on plasma nitric oxide (NO), Endothelin 1 (ET1), high sensitive C-reactive protein (HSCRP) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS We conducted a pilot randomized clinical trial in order to evaluate plasma NO, ET1, HSCRP and QoL before and after twenty sessions of EECP (g...

BACKGROUND Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive technique used for patients with refractory angina pectoris. There are controversial data on the effectiveness of EECP in improving patients with refractory stable angina. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EECP for the treatment of patients with refractory angina pectoris. METHODS ...

AIMS This study examined the causes and results of retreatment of patients who failed to complete an initial 35-hour Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) course. METHODS AND RESULTS Data of 2,311 successive angina patients from the International EECP Patient Registry were analyzed, 86.5% completed their EECP course (Complete cohort). Of the 13.5% patients failing to complete the initial ...

BACKGROUND Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive technique that has been shown to be effective in reducing both angina and myocardial ischemia in patients not responding to medical therapy and without revascularization alternatives. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term outcome of EECP treatment at a Scandinavian centre, in relieving angina in patients w...

BACKGROUND Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a circulation assist device that may improve endothelial dysfunction by increasing shear stress. Chronic exposure of vascular endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells to relatively high physiological shear stress has antiproliferative and vasoprotective effects. The present study hypothesizes that EECP inhibits intimal hyperplasi...

Background—Mechanisms responsible for anti-ischemic benefits of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) remain unknown. This was the first randomized sham-controlled study to investigate the extracardiac effects of EECP on peripheral artery flow-mediated dilation. Methods and Results—Forty-two symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease were randomized (2:1 ratio) to thirty-five 1-hour ...

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive circulatory assist device that has recently emerged as a treatment option for refractory angina in left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. This 2-year cohort study describes the long-term follow-up of patients who had severe LV dysfunction that was treated with EECP for angina pectoris and reports clinical outcomes, event-free survival rates...

To improve the aortic pressure and myocardial perfusion pressure during cardiac arrest, this study is designed to optimize sequence of Enhanced External Counter-Pulsation (EECP) for a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique — Active Compression-Decompression CPR coupled with EECP and Inspiratory Impedance Threshold Valve (AEI-CPR). EECP is lower-limbs compression equipment for AEI-CPR tha...