Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Angina and Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP)

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive treatment that can be utilized for patients who are not candidates for the revascularization procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), but who have angina that does not respond well to other treatments. EECP treatment has been shown to reduce the frequency of angina.

EECP is a noninvasive procedure in which inflatable bags are wrapped around the legs (like a blood pressure cuff around the arm) and inflated and deflated in concert with the patient’s heart beat. The patient receives 35 one-hour sessions over 7 weeks.

The exact effect of EECP on angina is not known, though a few theories do exist.¹ Some experts believe that EECP encourages the body to create new blood vessels, essentially making a natural bypass of the blocked vessels. As with bypass procedures, natural bypass would relieve angina by increasing the flow of blood to the heart.

It is also possible that the inflation and deflation action of the EECP treatment causes vasodilation, enhancing blood flow.

Read more details about Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP).

1. "EECP" article on HeartHealthyWomen.org website: http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/treatment-and-recovery/enchanced-external-counterpulsation-eecp/eecp.html