WHAT IS EECP?

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Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) is a treatment to enhance blood circulation and improve the function of vital organs in our body. Therefore, it’s widely used for improving brain, Heart, kidney and liver functions.

 

EECP is a non-invasive procedure that uses inflatable cuffs to compress the blood vessels of the lower limbs. These cuffs are placed around the calves, thighs and buttocks of the patient. In this procedure, the blood flow in the coronary arteries is increased.

 

EECP is enhanced by computer technology, blood pressure monitors and electrocardiography. These facilitate accurate timing of the inflation and deflation of the pressure cuffs with the heart beat and blood pressure of the patient.

What does EECP treatment do to my body?
 

ECP helps reroute blood around narrowed or blocked arteries that are not supplying sufficient blood flow to the heart.

 

The pressure compresses blood vessels in the legs in order to increase blood flow to the heart.

 

EECP prompts blood vessels to create small channels (collaterals) that may act as “natural bypass’ to increase blood flow to the heart and relieve symptoms.

 

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How is EECP Performed?

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• The patient’s systolic state (pumping) and diastolic state (relaxation) of the heart is measured by placing three ECG stickers on the patient’s chest and monitored on the EECP electrocardiograph.

• The patient is required to lie down on a bed.

• The patient’s calves, thighs and buttocks are wrapped around with blood pressure cuffs.

• When the heart relaxes at the precise time of diastole, the cuffs start inflating from the calves, moving upwards to the buttocks. This leads to a counter pulsation of the blood.

• When the heart contracts, the cuffs quickly deflate and relax. The sensation may feel like a firm massage

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What is the Treatment protocol of EECP?

 

EECP consists of 35 hours of treatment. The patient may take a one-hour session per day.
 

For patients with chronic diseases and heart problems, your doctor may suggest for maintenance EECP treatment once a week after the completion of 35 sessions.

 

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How to Prepare for EECP?

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• The patient is required to wear tight fitting clothing such as athletic tights to avoid chafing.

• The patient’s blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate and weight are determined and recorded.

• The patient’s legs are checked for symptoms of possible vascular problems.

• The patient is informed about the benefits and risks of EECP by the health care team.

• The patient needs to sign a consent form before the procedure.

 

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What Are the Benefits of EECP Treatment?

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• Increased oxygen supply for the heart.

• Decrease in chest pain.

• Improved EKG response to exercise.

• Decrease in nitro-glycerine use.

• Increase in energy.

• Increased exercise duration.

• Long term effects up to 3 years.

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EECP also greatly improves the overall quality of patients’ lives, by giving them more energy and an enhanced ability to work, perform daily tasks and exercise, thus allowing them to enjoy a greater sense of well-being.

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