OBJECTIVE Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive treatment that is proven safe and effective in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF). The aims of this study are to investigate the clinical effects of EECP therapy in patients with symptomatic CAD and chronic HF, and to find out an answer to the question: Does EECP therapy have any effect on the p...

INTRODUCTION Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive outpatient treatment used for patients with intractable angina refractory to aggressive surgical and medical treatment. Recent results have demonstrated a positive impact of EECP on patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD)-associated erectile dysfunction (ED). AIM To assess the effect of IHD duration and number of EECP ...

INTRODUCTION As more patients survive coronary events, the prevalence of patients with refractory angina pectoris is increasing. The aim was to evaluate the effects of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and compare with optimal medically treated patients with refractory angina. METHODS 153 patients with refractory angina were treated with either EECP, ...

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive outpatient treatment used for angina pectoris. In patients with intractable angina refractory to aggressive surgical and medical treatment, several novel strategies are considered including EECP, transmural laser revascularisation, and spinal cord stimulation. EECP produces an acute haemodynamic effect that is presumed to be similar to...

BACKGROUND Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) enhances coronary perfusion and reduces left ventricular afterload. However, the role of EECP on renal function in cardiac patients is unknown. Our aim was to assess renal function determined by serum cystatin C in cardiac patients before and after EECP treatment. METHODS A prospective observational longitudinal study was conducted in order...

INTRODUCTION Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive circulatory assist device that has been recently emerged as a treatment option for refractory angina or left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The aims of this study were to examine the effects of EECP on the elecrocardiographic parameters and the heart rate variability indices of patients with the coronary heart disease and fu...

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive technique that has shown promise in the treatment of ischemic coronary artery disease. Patients undergoing EECP were tested for alterations in psychosocial state associated with treatment. Overall perception of health and quality of life improved with EECP. There was also significant improvement in levels of depression, anxiety, and som...

BACKGROUND Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive, pneumatic technique that provides beneficial effects for patients with chronic, symptomatic angina pectoris. However, the physiological effects of EECP have not been studied directly. We examined intracoronary and left ventricular hemodynamics in the cardiac catheterization laboratory during EECP. METHODS AND RESULTS Ten p...

BACKGROUND An increasing number of clinical studies indicates reduction of angina and myocardial ischemia by enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy. However, given the wide range of contraindications and the long duration of treatment, eligibility and practicality issues have not been addressed systematically. HYPOTHESIS Of all candidates for EECP (patients with drug-refractory ang...

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...