Choosing the Right Direction For
Managing Heart Disease
Consider Your Options
When it comes to your health always consider your options.
Understand what treatments are available.
Together with your physician, assess what is the best option for you.
Surgery is not the only treatment for cardiac patients.
While helpful and appropriate for many, bypass surgery and
angioplasty often fail to provide adequate long-term relief from angina.
These invasive procedures can involve pain and greater risk of
serious side effects. It may be
time to consider a new direction for managing heart disease.
Patients suffering from
heart disease, particularly chronic stable angina and Congestive Heart
Failure (CHF), should consider External Counter pulsation (ECP) Therapy.
Many physicians offer ECP Therapy in outpatient clinics.
ECP is a low-risk procedure with little to no side effects.
ECP Therapy consists of 35 daily treatments; each treatment is
one-hour per day.
Relief Without Surgery
ECP is safe, effective, and best of all it does not include the risk
or complications of surgery. ECP
is a non-invasive procedure, which means no hospitalization, no anesthesia,
no surgery, and no pain.
1.
What are the benefits of ECP Therapy?
There are
many benefits to ECP Therapy. ECP
is a non-invasive procedure that provides little to no risk for appropriate
patients. Various clinical
studies demonstrate that patients who have responded to ECP Therapy noted a
reduction in chest pain and other symptoms, decreased use of some heart
medications, improved tolerance for exercise, and general quality of life
improvements.
2.
Who Benefits from ECP Therapy?
External
Counter pulsation (ECP) Therapy is indicated for patients who are not
candidates for surgical intervention. ECP
benefits those patients who have already undergone invasive procedures and
whose symptoms have returned. It
is often ideal for patients with single or multivessel Coronary Artery
Disease (CAD). ECP is also
beneficial for those patients who do not tolerate medication or medication
no longer controls symptoms.
3.
What are the Risks of ECP Therapy?
ECP Therapy
is a low-risk, outpatient procedure. However,
in some cases, ECP Therapy may not be the right choice for managing heart
disease. ECP Therapy may not be
recommended for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, a history of deep
vein thrombophlebitis, severe valvular disease, and those with severe
peripheral vascular disease. Patients
with recent surgical intervention, those with uncontrolled arrhythmias, and
certain types of pacemakers require careful consideration and management.
Other patients may not be well suited for this type of treatment.
Consult your physician for a complete review of your medical history
to determine if you are a candidate for ECP Therapy.
Understanding ECP
Therapy
A Skilled
ECP technician administers the therapy on an outpatient basis.
The technician remains nearby to monitor treatment and to help
maintain patient comfort.
First, the
patient lies on a comfortable treatment platform.
Air pressure cuffs are wrapped snuggly around the lower body on the
calves, thighs, and buttocks. These
cuffs are similar to blood pressure cuffs.
Next, the
technician attaches electrodes to the patient’s chest to monitor their
heart rhythm. A computer then
tracks and synchronizes cuff inflation and deflation with the patient’s
heart rhythm. The cuffs are set
to inflate and deflate during the diastolic (resting) phase of the cardiac
cycle.
How Does ECP Work?
During ECP
Therapy, air pressure cuffs gently inflate and deflate with each heartbeat.
The cuffs provide a compression of the vasculature creating a strong
“counterpulse”. This
counterpulse sends freshly oxygenated blood rushing back toward the heart.
This increases the peak diastolic pressure and the oxygen-rich blood
supply that is delivered to the myocardium, or heart
muscle.The external counterpulse also increases preload, or
the volume of venous (used) blood flow that is returned to the heart.
Ultimately, this helps to increase the amount of blood circulated
through the cardiovascular system each minute.
The combined effects of external counterpulsation help to increase myocardial
perfusion, or the amount of oxygen absorbed by the heart muscle and
perfusion of other vital organs. Furthermore,
patient’s symptoms are reduced or eliminated.
When the
air pressure cuffs are released, the blood surges back toward the areas of
compression, away from the heart. This
action reduces afterload, or systemic vascular resistance.
Systolic pressure drops further reducing the effort or workload of
the heart.
Some
clinical studies suggest that this process increases myocardial perfusion
and stimulates the development of collateral vessels.
Collateral vessels allow oxygenated blood to naturally bypass
blockages and feed ischemic, or starving, areas of the heart.
Frequently Asked
Questions
How
effective is ECP Therapy?
Answer:
Studies suggest that up to 80% of patients report significant
improvement after receiving a full course of ECP Therapy.
Patients often report that they no longer have chest pain, have
greater energy and stamina, need less heart medication, and have an overall
improved quality of life. Effects
of therapy can usually be felt between 10 and 14 treatments.
Although it is difficult to determine the lasting effects for an
individual, various studies have been conducted to track patient’s
outcomes. Some studies suggest
that patients who have responded to ECP Therapy may have lasting results for
up to five years.
Are
there any risks or side effects to ECP Therapy?
Answer:
ECP carries little to no risk for appropriate patients.
Some common, but temporary side effects reported include fatigue,
muscle soreness or cramping and headaches.
Patients are advised to monitor skin condition closely and report any
signs of skin irritation. In the
unlikely event that you have an adverse reaction to ECP Therapy, notify your
physician immediately.
Does
insurance cover ECP Therapy?
Answer:
Medicare, as well as most of the major insurance carriers covers ECP therapy
and healthcare plans.
When
should ECP Therapy be prescribed?
Answer:
ECP is indicated for patients who suffer from Coronary Artery Disease
(CAD) or Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).
ECP is often prescribed for patients that are not surgical
candidates. It is often the
preferred treatment option for patients with chronic stable angina who have
single or multivessel disease.
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