ECP is a non invasive, non-surgical outpatient treatment for patients suffering from coronary artery disease and heart failure. Clinical studies over the past several years have shown that most patients treated with single course of ECP experience a reduction in angina and are able to return to an active lifestyle. Who will benefit from ECP?
* Angina
* Myocardial infarctions (heart attack)
* Congestive heart failure (even on maximum medication)
* Poor left / right ventricular function
* High risk for angioplasty / stent & bypass surgery
Cardiac associated patients who:
* Are elderly and high risk for surgery
* Cannot afford angioplasty and bypass surgery
* Have conditions that increase the risk of surgery eg. diabetes, heart failure, lung disease & renal disease
Other benefits include:
* Decrease in blood pressure
* Decrease in blood sugar
* Decrease jn erectile dysfunction
* Decrease in chronic fatigue
* Quick recovery from sports injuries
* Improvement in sports performance
ECP can also be performed on patients who want to undergo the treatment as a prophylactic (preventative) procedure to ensure a healthy lifestyle. External Countetpulsation (ECP) also has great benefits as a treatment for sports medicine. During the treatment patients are hooked onto an ECG machine while they lie on a bed on which sets of electronically controlled inflation valves are located. These valves are connected to specially designed adjustable cuffs that are wrapped firmly and comfortably around the patient's calves, thighs and buttocks. While the heart is in the resting phase, the cuffs are inflated rapidly and sequentially from the calves towards the buttocks. The cuffs are then deflated instantaneously just before the heart beats. This causes the heart muscle to receive an increased blood supply while reducing the heart's workload. ECP causes immediate and sustained increase in the heart's blood supply by:
* Dilating coronary blood vessels
* Opening dormant (unused) collateral vessels
* Stimulating the release of growth factors
* Establishing shunts from other vessels
* Forming new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
How will patients know that they have improved? How will patients know that they have improved?
* Patients will have symptomatic and clinical relief
* There will be a reduced need for medicine
* Frequency and intensity of chest pain will be reduced
* Exercise tolerance will increase
* One's sense of well-being will improve
* There will be an improvement in the quality of life
* Patients will be able to lead a more active lifestyle
* Patients will feel much more energised
Duration of ECP treatment
A typical course of treatment requires patients to attend one-hour treatment sessions once a day, five days a week, for seven weeks in order to complete 35 sessions altogether. Alternatively, patients can attend two one-hour sessions, thirty minutes apart, in order to complete the treatment in 17 sessions. Some patients may require more than 35 hours of treatment to achieve optimal benefits. Patients can continue working during the course of the treatment by scheduling early or late afternoon appointments. Advantages of ECP
* ECP is a simple and non-invasive treatment
* It is safe and risk free since it does not involve any surgery
or hospital stay
* ECP does not require a recovery period
*A patient can take this treatment without disturbing his/her daily routine
* ECP is a cost effective treatment in exchange for a more
healthier and productive life
* It promotes endothelial function and initiates the release
of growth factors that promotes angiogenesis
* ECP promotes and establishes collateralization
* It enhances ventricular function
* ECP increases life expectancy
* ECP leaves you feeling re-vitalised and energised rather
than feeling 'sick' as in other forms of treatment
