If you have a patient struggling with chronic or intermittent angina, noninvasive External Counter Pulsation (ECP) may offer safe, effective relief. “Patients who have ECP report a significant improvement in their ability to perform daily activities with little or no angina,” reports cardiologist Stephen Devine, MD, Gundersen Lutheran Heart Institute.
| |
 |
| |
The Heart Institute has been using a noninvasive procedure called External Counter Pulsation (ECP) to successfully treat angina since 2002. Pictured is patient Joan Jaeger and Mike Peeso, RN, Cardiotesting Lab, who helps administer the ECP treatments.
|
The Heart Institute has been using ECP to successfully treat angina since 2002, but recently unveiled a new enhanced ECP system. “Our new ECP equipment features sequential pneumatic compression to increase retrograde diastolic flow, venous return and systolic unloading, which promises to make ECP even more effective,” reports Mike Peeso, RN, Cardiotesting Lab.
“During ECP treatments, compression cuffs inside special pants inflate and deflate in sequence up the patient’s legs to their waist in a wave-like motion. Each wave of pressure is timed to the patient’s heartbeats using continuous electrocardiogram,” Mike adds.
ECP improves circulation and cardiac output and it may also recruit collateral blood vessels, improve neurohormonal factors and endothelial function, and reduce arterial stiffness. The results are often life-changing benefits for patients who undergo a course of ECP therapy. Some patients may also notice other circulatory improvements (e.g. diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease and erectile dysfunction).
“A candidate for ECP is someone who is optimized on medications and may have already had bypass surgery or angioplasty whereby no other options are available,” says Dr. Devine. “ECP treatments do not require incisions or anesthesia, and most patients find it relatively comfortable. It’s usually done along with cardiac rehab to improve stamina and blood flow. In most cases, ECP is very effective at controlling angina and improving quality of life.”
When receiving ECP treatments, your patient will need to visit Gundersen Lutheran for hour-long sessions, five days a week for seven weeks. “We may extend it to 50 treatments if the patient is still having angina but showing improvement,” Dr. Devine adds.
Although the procedure is a major commitment, patient’s find it worth the effort if they gain relief for one to three years or more with each round of ECP.
To learn more about ECP, call the Cardiotesting Lab at the Gundersen Lutheran Heart Institute via the MedLink patient care line.