Why do I get chest pain?
Chest pain is caused by gradual blockage of the coronary arteries. The narrowed or blocked arteries restrict blood flow to the heart muscle. Your heart gets oxygen and nutrition from the blood that flows through these arteries. Prior to 1997 the options to treat your chest pain were limited to Medication, angioplasty, Bypass surgery. Now a new treatment called EECP is introduced.
What is Enhanced External Counterpulsation?
EECP is the first nonsurgical, non-pharmaceutical mechanical treatment approved by US FDA for patients with chest pain and heart failure. It helps to increase the blood flow to the heart muscles deprived of adequate blood supply. The beneficial effect obtained after the completion of treatment persists for years together.
Why there is a need for another treatment?
Despite the advances in cardiology in treating chest pain and heart failure the problem still persists. Drugs do not always provide relief and invasise procedures have their own associated risk factors. EECP can provide the patients with all the advantages similar to that of medication and symptom relief comparable to that of invasive procedures without undergoing them.
What does EECP treatment include?
In an EECP session, the patient lies on a padded table. Three large inflated cuffs-are strapped around the calves, lower thighs and upper thighs. The patient's is monitored by an electrocardiograph display in the machine, which through the computer regulates the inflation and deflation of the cuffs. During the part of the cardiac cycle when the heart is at rest(diastole), the cuffs are rapidly inflated in sequential order beginning with the cuffs at the calves and working upward. Just before are simultaneously deflated.
How long does the treatment take?
EECP involves 35 days of treatment. Each treatment session is for one hour and the patients are asked to come six days a week for six weeks. It is very important that theient adhere to the one-hour time schedule fixed by the hospital or medical center and the patient is expected to continue the treatment with out break.
How does EECP treatment work?
EECP increases the blood flow to heat muscles . The increase in blood flow to the area of heart muscle not receiving enough blood supply is achieved by two means by EECP treatment (1) Forming new vessels around the blocked artery. (2) Because of increase blood flow and pressure during EECP there is high pressure in open coronary arteries and lower pressure in closed arteries. Blood finds its way to the low-pressure zone or area, which has decreased blood supply by opening the collaterals. These collaterals eventually become permanent.
Does EECP give symptom relief as bypass and Angioplasty?
All these current more of treatments helps the heart by increasing the blood flow to the area of the heart muscle not receiving adequate blood supply. Once the blood supply is increased towards normal the patient's chest pain will be decreased or eliminated and his exercise tolerance will improve.
How do I personally know the treatment has helped me?
Patient can walk more distance without chest pain
Patient would have fewer or no angina
Episodes of angina would be less painful
Patient need for anti-anginal medications can be reduced.
Patient can return to work and can participate in their active life style once again.
Patient would be more energetic and confidence.
Do I need any investigation to be done after the treatment?
Some patients want to visualize the post EECP treatment improvement when compare with their previous reports. They can repeat their Exercise treadmill test or Echo cardiography or Nuclear scan after the treatment. Some physician might feel follow-up test is unnecessary since the patient symptomatic clinical improvement itself has demonstrated increase blood flow to the heart muscles.
Do I need anything special to prepare myself for the treatment?
EECP is a safe, out patient, non-invasive treatment. So you don't have to restrict any of your daily routine work. You can fix your one-hour time treatment schedule according to your convenience. Before you start the treatment you will be asked to wear tight fitting elastic pants. This is to prevent skin irritation and abration.
Avoid taking food two hours before the treatment.
Empty your bladder before starting the treatment.
If you are taking any diuretic medication avoid taking them before the treatment.
Continue your regular medication as prescribed by your physician.
Is EECP a replacement for Bypass or Angioplasty?
EECP is not considered a replacement for coronary artery bypass surgery or ballon angioplasty instead EECP may delay the need for these invasive procedures. In many cases, relief will be sufficient to render them unnecessary. EECP is also used in patients who have already undergone surgery or angioplasty but not getting sufficient relief of their symptoms.
What should I do after EECP treatment?
To prevent the progression of your disease after completion of the treatment you should make life style changes like
Quitting smoking
Following heart friendly diet
Controlling obesity
Doing Regular exercise
Have regular follow up with your cardiologist to lower your cholesterol, to control your pressure and diabetes. EECP treatment provide you with new blood vessels. It is you to prevent your vessels from developing obstruction again.
EECP ADVANTAGES OVER SURGERY
EECP has numerous distinct advantages over surgery:
Noninvasive
Outpatient
Low risk
No additional medication required
No recuperation time required
No side effect
Patients have reported increased exercise tolerance energy and free from chest pain following treatment without risk of surgery.
