Tag Archives: EECP

Introduction Angina pectoris is the most common symptomatic manifestation of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and is usually caused by an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Standard therapy for angina pectoris includes pharmacological agents, such as rate-limiting drugs and vasodilators. When symptoms are not satisfactorily controlled by pharmacotherapy alone, revascularisation via either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been demonstrated to be of benefit in certain circumstances.1,2 While the majority of patients with angina pectoris can be managed successfully using a s

Is it time for a re-assessment of EECP in the UK? Dear Sirs, External enhanced counter pulsation (EECP) is a validated, safe, non-invasive treatment for angina and heart failure.  To date, more than 300,000 people worldwide have been treated, with 15,000 involved in clinical trials. The 2013 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on the Management of Stable Coronary Artery Disease1 give EECP a level 2a recommendation, meaning that the treatment should be considered for patients with refractory angina. The recommendation was made following a review of published data on the mechanisms of action and clinical benefits of EECP. The ESC c