Medical Services
(Diagnostic Testing)
(Therapeutic Cardiology)
Elliot EECP™ Clinic (Enhanced External Counterpulsation)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Enhanced External CounterPulsation mean?
What are the advantages of EECP™ therapy over other treatments for angina?
Is the treatment FDA approved?
What have studies shown about EECP™ treatment?
Will I be able to do more after completing EECP™ treatment?
How does EECP™ treatment work ?
How long has EECP therapy been used to treat angina?
What does the name Enhanced External CounterPulsation mean?
The term Enhanced External Counterpulsation describes what happens during treatment.
Enhanced : Refers to the state-of–the-art equipment used to deliver the treatment.
External : The treatment happens outside the body and does not require surgery or other invasive procedures.
Counterpulsation : The EECP™ machine pumps between heartbeats. This counterpulsation to your own heartbeat increases blood flow to the heart muscle, decreases the heart's workload and creates greater oxygen supply while lowering oxygen demand.
What are the advantages of EECP™ therapy over other treatments for angina?
EECP™ is a non-invasive treatment. It is administered in outpatient sessions, carries little or no risk and is relatively comfortable.
Is the treatment FDA approved?
EECP™ is approved by the FDA. It has undergone rigorous clinical trials and has been the subject of scientific studies in leading medical journals.
NO! EECP™ is a painless, non-invasive treatment. It is most often described as a vigorous massage due to the inflation and deflation of the cuffs, but it is not painful. It is well tolerated by most patients.
Each treatment is one hour long. Patients come Monday through Friday for a total of 35 sessions. Occasionally, our Medical Director will recommend extending treatments to 50 visits.
What have studies shown about EECP™ treatment?
Clinical studies show that EECP™ is an effective treatment for angina, and 70-80% of patients experiencing the following benefits:
• Elimination or decrease in episodes of angina or its equivalent (shortness of breath).
• Decreased nitroglycerin use.
• Increased exercise tolerance.
(For additional study information please refer to www.EECP.com )
Will I be able to do more after completing EECP™ treatment?
After EECP™ treatment, you may find that you:
• Can walk farther, carry heavier packages and be more active without having angina.
• Have fewer attacks of angina.
• Experience less painful episodes of angina.
• Need less anti-anginal medication.
• Can return to work, go out to dinner, garden, travel or enjoy golf, tennis or bowling once again.
• No longer restrict your social life, volunteer activities or exercise because you are worried that your angina will interfere with your ability to take part in these activities.
How does EECP™ treatment work?
Clinical studies indicate that EECP™ treatment may create a “natural” bypass of blocked arteries. The coronary arteries have many branches, like a tree. The smaller arteries branch into even smaller vessels. The EECP™ treatments encourage blood vessels to open or form small channels that become extra branches. These channels or collaterals may eventually become permanent pathways to the heart muscle.
Research also suggests EECP™ may stimulate changes to vessel walls that result in their relaxation (dilation).
Results vary with each individual. Most patients start to see improvement in symptoms by the mid-way point of their treatment course. The IEPR, a national registry that tracks EECP™ patients, has documented that 70-80% of patients in the registry have responded to EECP™ treatments with improved exercise tolerance, fewer anginal episodes and decreased nitroglycerin usage by the end of their treatment course.
How long has EECP therapy been used to treat angina?
EECP™ clinical studies began in 1989. Until the summer of 1995, EECP™ therapy was only available to patients participating in the studies. Today, there are treatment centers throughout the country and abroad.
There are two on-going studies for patients with angina within the International EECP ™ Patient Registry (IEPR).
• The IEPR-1: follows 5,000+ patients for 3 years.
• The IEPR-2: follows 2,500+ patients for 3 years.
• Research is strongly suggesting positive benefits for patients with heart failure.
• The PEECH Trial, which began in March 2001, follows 180+ patients with heart failure treated with EECP™.
Other indications for EECP™ currently under investigation include:
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Impotence
Kidney Disease
Stroke
Diabetes