Cardiology in Arizona

EECP Treatment for People with Chest Pain

EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation), a noninvasive procedure to help patients with chest pains secondary to coronary heart disease (angina pectoris), is now available at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. EECP has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of angina pectoris.

The treatment consists of 35 one-hour treatments over the course of seven weeks with the patient on a Monday through Friday regimen. During EECP therapy, the patient lies on a bed and pressure cuffs are attached to the calves, lower thighs and upper thighs. The patient's heart rate and rhythm are constantly measured during the process. The cuffs inflate and deflate, gradually building to full pressure while the machine works with the heart's rhythms.

The mechanism of benefit is unclear. Evidence to date indicates that EECP treatment may promote the growth of new blood vessels in the heart and improve blood flow to areas that are not getting enough blood and oxygen. This improved blood flow decreases chest pain symptoms.

The increased pressure imparted by the device forces blood to the patient's heart, increases the heart's output and may promote the development of new pathways or collateral blood vessels effectively "bypassing" areas of stenosis and permitting blood to get to all areas of the heart, thereby decreasing exertional angina.

There are more than seven million patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease in the United States and an estimated 350,000 new cases each year. As this population grows, so does the group for whom medications or the standard procedures will not work. EECP gives this group of patients another possible option.

Most patients tolerate the therapy with few side effects. The common side effects are mild headache, mild dizziness, fatigue or muscle aches. A small number of patients develop pressure sores or bruising from the cuff inflation.

Patients often watch television during the treatment. Others bring compact disks or cassette players to listen to music or audiobooks. The entire process from the patient's arrival to departure takes between one and one-half to two hours.

This procedure would have to be ordered by a doctor in the Cardiology Department. For appointments or more information, please click here.

Online Resources

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American Heart Association

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