EECP Treatment
About EECP Treatment
Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP), a non-invasive technique, is used to reduce the frequency and severity of angina attacks. To administer the treatment, three sets of external inflatable cuffs are wrapped around the buttocks, upper legs, and lower legs. To improve blood flow back to the heart during the resting portion of the heartbeat, these cuffs continuously expand and contract. The main goal of EECP therapy is to boost the quantity of blood returning to the heart, which helps the organ deliver more oxygen to its oxygen-starved areas. Greater availability of oxygen enables the heart to function more efficiently and lessens chest pain.
A time is set so the cuffs can continue to inflate while the heart is at peace, it is known as Electro Cardiogram when a normal supply of blood and oxygen is provided. When the rest period ends, the cuffs will deflate before the next heartbeat. Oxygen levels in the blood and pressure waves are monitored by the special sensor which is applied to your finger, which is made due to the inflation and deflation of the cuffs. EECP treatment for heart blockage is one of the best treatments for heart as it is FDA approved, Non-invasive, has an impressive success rate and is cost effective in comparison to other surgeries that tackle a similar problem.
History of EECP Treatment
EECP treatment is in use since the 1960s. Although it was initially founded in China however is being used in the US for the past 10 years followed by multiple other countries today. The development of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) gave birth to the idea of EECP. Increment in the amount of blood that can get pumped out of the heart by inflating a balloon in the aorta between each heartbeat was the result of IABP. EECP is one step ahead of this but with the same theory. When the aorta opens up, it allows more blood to flow and helps to decrease the hard work of the heart. It decreases the work of the heart on a large scale, beneficial for people who have already damaged heart tissues. EECP is one of the best treatments to avoid bypass surgery.
What is Angina?
Angina also called angina pectoris and ischemic chest pain is a symptom of heart disease, but not a disease in itself. It is caused due to lack of supply of oxygen and blood to the heart. It can make you feel like a heart attack, squeezing, tightness, heaviness, pain, or pressure in your chest. It happens when your arteries are blocked by something and the lack of blood flow restricts the supply of oxygen-rich blood to your heart. Chances are, you can also feel discomfort in your neck, arms, jaw, shoulders, back, or abdomen. Stable, unstable, angina caused by a spasm in the coronary arteries, and microvascular are some types of angina. This sign of coronary heart disease affects more than 10 million Americans. 30% of deaths worldwide are due to heart related diseases.
Benefits of EECP (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation )
- Increment in energy
- Helps the patient to walk more distance without feeling any chest pain.
- Chest Pain decreases (angina pectoris)
- Heart Failure improves
- A cost-effective treatment and doesn’t demand a hospital stay or surgery.
- Reduction in hypertension/high blood pressure.
- Simple, safe, and risk-free treatment.
- Helps to treat the unstable angina.
- Has long-lasting effects for up to 2 years.
- Cure heart blockages effectively and safely.
- Multiplies blood flow.
- Won’t disturb patient’s daily-life routine.
- Build up stamina and endurance.
- Enhanced exercise duration.
- Amplifies restful sleep.
Who needs an EECP therapy or Eligibility Criteria of EECP
Previously if you suffered from angina and still are looking for further treatment or therapy, then this non-invasive bypass surgery is the best for you and you are eligible for it. Plus if you need the treatment but want to avoid the surgery, EECP treatment is a good-to-go option. Also, you should keep the following points in your head to further check your eligibility:
- Don’t meet the requirements for intrusive procedures like surgery.
- They are at excessive risk because of co-morbid conditions.
- No longer get relief from taking medicine.
- Experience resurrected symptoms following an intrusive operation like angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery.
- Their condition makes surgery impossible or puts it at significant risk of postoperative failure or operative complications.
- Have persistent chest pressure or pain that fluctuates with stress or physical exertion.
- Their coronary architecture makes such treatments difficult.
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How EECP is better than other forms of treatment like bypass surgery?
The doctors call it a safe treatment and a ‘natural bypass’ since it stimulates the collateral flow of blood and boosts the circulation of blood flow in the body. Also, the angina frequency decreases slightly and commits an improved life quality and a sustainable exercise duration is done on the stress test as proof.Â
This modern-age, non-drug, and non-surgical therapy has already been approved by FDA and has shown that the required results can be achieved through EECP. This is the only non-invasive and less expensive treatment and needs no hospitalization. EECP heart treatment is also beneficial in coronary artery blockage, heart failure, chest pain, and hypertension.
According to the latest studies, EECP therapy has more significant benefits in comparison to angioplasty even though the effects are comparatively slower. A patient who has already gone through angioplasty and still hasn’t got any relief can consider EECP therapy a good-to-go option. The EECP success rate is 95% or more. Most of the patients who underwent EECP will have significant improvement in the quality of life, exercise time; they can able to reduce the medicine which they are taking to reduce the symptom.
Effectiveness of EECP therapy
According to numerous types of research and studies, to treat chronic stable angina, EECP therapy has been proved effective. 64% of patients were alive without any problem at follow-up of 5 years and 88% was the overall 5-year survival of patients treated with EECP heart treatment. A small randomized trial found that EECP significantly increased exercise tolerance and angina symptoms in persons with CAD. Exercise tolerance is a more objective criterion than angina symptoms.
According to other research, the reduction in symptoms following a course of EECP appears to last for up to five years. The mechanism underlying the alleged continuous advantages of EECP therapy is still unknown.
Working of EECP (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation) Treatments:
Pressure is applied to the blood vessels in your lower limbs during EECP treatment. Your heart functions better because of the increased blood flow back to it due to pressure. Symptoms lessen when your heart pumps more efficiently.
This kind of treatment may also stimulate blood vessels to widen existing passageways, allowing more blood to reach your heart. If your coronary arteries are restricted or blocked, these channels gradually develop into “natural bypass” vessels that assist in reducing angina symptoms.
Generally, what do EECP treatment costs in India?
If a patient is looking for a serious and cost-effective treatment other than angioplasty, then EECP (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation) therapy is the only best option left. Today the price of angioplasty in India is very high, which is around 1.2 to 1.6 lakh INR. This is the general cost of life-saving treatments like this but still, EECP treatment price is comparatively lower than angioplasty. The EECP treatment cost in India is as low as 90000 INR to as high as 140000 INR. The patients can go through according to their needs and budget since there are many EECP centers all across India and SAAOL is one of the most affordable ones.
The average price is generally 95,000 rupees. This is the general cost of EECP treatment in Mumbai and Delhi-like, metropolitan cities, which is cost-effective for most people. Due to technological advancement today, the effectiveness and results of EECP therapy have made more patients feel gruntled after leaving the EECP centers.
This shows that even though the price of angioplasty is more, the results are less beneficial. And EECP is satisfying more patients at a cheaper price while still providing more benefits. EECP is safe, non-invasive, and more result-oriented, totally justifying the price which is charged and saving the lives of more patients healthily and naturally.
In what problems can EECP play its role and be a necessity?
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Acute Coronary Syndrome with Cardiogenic Shock
- Hypertension
- Non-cardiac Conditions
- Angina
What states can be cured by EECP therapy?
The following are the conditions in which EECP may be required or suggested:
- Lung disease
- Fatigue
- Chest Pain
- Kidney Failure
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Heart failure
- Cough
- Left ventricular dysfunction
- Cardiac syndrome X (a type of angina)
- Cerebrovascular disease
The problem which EECP cannot treat is unstable angina. Chances are that even while you rest, symptoms may develop suddenly. Angina of this type can also cause more frequent, long-lasting, and more severe symptoms.
Happenings before the therapy:
An exercise test and physical exams are taken before giving the EECP therapy to the patient. The equipment and procedures demanded will also be disclosed to the patient. The following things will be done by the patient before the treatment:
1. You have to be in special treatment pants and empty your bladder.
2. Inflatable cuffs around your buttocks and legs and three electrocardiogram patches will be placed on your chest. Air hoses would be connected to cuffs.
3. A finger is given to you to check pressure levels and blood oxygen, so to get the best results, therapy can be given accordingly.
Happenings during the therapy:
In EECP therapy, you lie back or take a nap on a soft surface as air is pumped into the cuffs that surround your lower extremities. You’ll feel the cuffs getting tighter around your bottom and legs until they reach full treatment pressure.
The inflation and deflation of your blood pressure and EKG monitors are timed to your heartbeat. The cuffs expand, increasing blood flow to the arteries that carry blood to your heart, as soon as your heart stops beating. They swiftly deflate thereafter, making it simpler for your heart to pump once again.
Therapy must be bearable after you get used to the feeling. It shouldn’t hurt or make you uncomfortable. You can resume your regular daily activities by following the therapy.
Happenings after the therapy:
Pressure is applied to the blood vessels in your lower limbs. Then your heart works better because the increasing pressure makes the blood flow back to your heart. After this therapy, blood vessels can open new pathways for blood to flow to your heart. Symptoms ease when your heart pumps better.
How many times can EECP therapy be done?
Since EECP treatment is outpatient therapy, it is done for an hour every day, for seven weeks, and five days a week. If symptoms are replayed in your body, and your doctor also insists, you may have to repeat the therapy, and chances increase if it is not completed within the initial course of 35 hours. First, you are given a session of an hour, a break, then another session. Around 20% of people need to repeat it. It can also be done twice daily for three and a half weeks if required.
How much time does it take to recover from the treatment?
Following therapy, you can resume your regular activities right away. Let your healthcare professional know if you feel any of the side effects. A hospital stay is not necessary for EECP therapy.
Better blood flow and diminished angina symptoms are common after following treatment for many years. You may require additional EECP therapy in some situations.
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