External Counterpulsation (ECP) Therapy
What is ECP?
ECP is a non invasive heart therapy designed to alleviate angina and congestive heart failure symptoms. It is primarily used in patients that have been unresponsive to other therapies, in order to relieve discomfort and improve quality of life. ECP helps stimulate blood vessels to develop small branches, creating a natural bypass around narrowed or blocked arteries that cause the angina.
ECP therapy has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of angina, increase endurance and decrease dependency on medication.
How Does ECP Work?
The ECP therapy works to improve circulation around the heart muscle, increasing oxygen rich blood flow to the heart and reducing the heart's workload. ECP therapy can also help build new pathways around blocked arteries in the heart by expanding networks of tiny collateral blood vessels that facilitate blood flow to the heart muscle.
What happens during ECP therapy?
ECP treatment is a simple comfortable procedure. The patient relaxes on a comfortably padded mattress. A set of cuffs is wrapped around the calves, thighs and buttocks. These cuffs attach to air hoses that connect to valves that inflate and deflate the cuffs. Patients experience a sensation of a strong "hug" moving upward from calves to thighs to buttocks during inflation followed by the rapid release of pressure on deflation. Inflation and deflation are electronically synchronized with the heartbeat and blood pressure. The patient can relax and talk to visitors, read, watch a video or even take a nap during the procedure.
How Often Are Treatments?
Patients who are accepted for treatment must undergo 35 one hour sessions, administered once daily, five days a week, for seven weeks. Many patients report feeling improvement after as few as 10 sessions.
Who Is a Candidate for EECP?
ECP Therapy may be appropriate if you :
- Have chronic stable angina.
- Are not receiving adequate relief by taking nitrates.
- Do not qualify as a candidate for invasive procedures such as bypass surgery or angioplasty.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).