New evidence suggests that Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP,) a noninvasive treatment for angina, is even more effective than previously thought, and may be beneficial quite early in the treatment of angina. ( Read about EECP, and why your cardiologist doesn't want to hear about it, here.)
EECP uses a set of computer-controlled inflatable leg cuffs, in a series of 1-hour sessions, to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. While nobody fully understands why, it turns out that a series of EECP sessions significantly improves angina and exercise tolerance in most patients with angina due to coronary artery disease. Medicare currently reimburses for EECP only in patients with angina who are not candidates for angioplasty, stenting or bypass surgery. Consequently, EECP has been mainly used in patients who continue to have symptoms despite having already had invasive therapy.
In a recent issue of Cardiology, investigators report that EECP works even better in patients who have not yet had invasive treatment for angina. Among patients participating in the International EECP Patient Registry who received EECP as first-line therapy (instead of receiving it only after other treatments failed,) 89% experienced an immediate improvement in angina, and 84% reported that the improvement persisted at 6 months. This compares to a 79% improvement rate with EECP among patients who had already received invasive treatments.
While DrRich expects that most cardiologists still won't want to hear about it, this new evidence suggests that at least some patients with coronary artery disease could do well with EECP as first-line therapy. This being the case, it is even possible that the major roadblock to the widespread use of EECP (i.e., the cardiologists) will be removed, since cardiologists are not necessary either for making the diagnosis of angina, or for administering EECP (which, as DrRich has previously pointed out, could easily and safely be performed in your garage if you had the right equipment.) Once again, DrRich regrets that he owns no stock in, or has any other ties to, Vasomedical.
