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A Proven Therapy for Management of Cardiovascular Disease
The goal of ECP is to reduce the duration and frequency of angina symptoms. The majority of patients undergoing ECP improve by one or two functional classes (Canadian Classification). Clinical studies also indicate that a course of treatment can eliminate or improve anginal symptoms for years.
Clinical studies indicate that a typical treatment protocol of 35 one-hour sessions is effective for the majority of angina patients. The hour-long sessions are administered once daily, on consecutive weekdays, five days a week for seven weeks. Many patients begin to feel an improvement in angina symptoms after as few as 10-12 treatment sessions. Some patients with more extensive disease may require more than one course of therapy to achieve an optimal level of relief.
Counterpulsation provides increased blood flow and pressure within the coronary arteries, leading researchers to theorize that collateral vessel development is stimulated during ECP treatment. Collateral vessels are used throughout the body to provide alternate pathways in cases where primary vessels may be blocked. Comparative perfusion scans, performed before and after a course of ECP treatment, have shown improved myocardial perfusion.
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