WHAT IS ANGINA?

Angina is a signal from your body telling you that your heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygenated blood. Over 6 million people in the United States suffer from this condition. The heart requires an especially enriched supply of oxygen via the incoming blood flow in the coronary arteries. When the vessels that supply the heart with oxygenated blood become narrowed, the area of the heart that is not receiving the proper blood flow respECG to optimize therapeutic benefit.

CIRCUMVENTING THE DAM!

Although the exact mechanism by which ECP improves symptoms remains undefined, recent studies suggest it might increase the development of collateral circulation with subsequent improvement in myocardial perfusion.

We are all born with some ability to circumvent a narrowed vessel by opening tiny branches of other nearby vessels. This process is called "collateral circulation." Think of an irrigation channel and what happens if the channel is blocked. The water naturally finds a new path around the blockage. This is essentially what happens in "collateral circulation." Unfortunately, most of us are not very efficient at developing these new networks of collateral blood flow.

HOW CAN ECP HELP RELIEVE ANGINA?

Your heart is the pump that supplies blood flow throughout the body. It supplies tissues with the oxygen and nutrients that are needed to sustain life. In order to efficiently accomplish this important task, the heart muscle needs oxygen-enriched blood to generate energy for pumping blood to the body. The heart relies on its own set of blood vessels called coronary arteries to receive oxygenated blood. ECP seems to improve circulation to your heart muscle by opening new pathways that circumvent the blocked arteries.

Many patients see:
• less medication is required
• fewer angina attacks
• they can do much more physically such as walking, golfing and gardening
• life becomes more "normal"

HOW WILL I FEEL DURING AND AFTER I FINISH THE THERAPY?

Most patients describe the treatment as a vigorous massage. They also say that after you get used to it, reading or sleeping during the treatment is very easy. Right after finishing a treatment many are energized or invigorated, but some feel a little tired.

HOW LONG BEFORE I FEEL BETTER?

Every patient is different, but most patients start to see improvement about half way through the 7 week cycle. Some feel a positive difference after just a week and some require more than 7 weeks.

ARE THERE ANY NEGATIVES TO THE THERAPY?

While most patients only require 35 sessions, some can require more. Also, the 7 week commitment can be a serious consideration for some patients. It is very important that sessions are not missed.

ARE THERE OTHER TREATMENT OPTIONS?

Some patients may still have the option of bypass surgery, angioplasty, drug therapy or TMR (TransMyocardial Revascularization). You should ask your physician which of the options best matches your situation.

DOES ECP CARRY ANY RISKS?

Though rare, some patients can develop minor abrasions from the rubbing of the cuff system. The ECP therapist or your physician can describe any potential risk and/or complications that may occur

WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES ECP HAVE OVER OTHER TREATMENTS?

ECP is less expensive, non-invasive and doesn't require recuperation after treatment. Rather than checking into a hospital, you visit an outpatient facility and can drive yourself home when each session is completed.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I QUALIFY FOR ECP?

Only your doctor can evaluate your condition and determine if you are a candidate for ECP, but the general criteria are:
• You have angina symptoms
• You have had previous invasive procedures, but the pain remains or has returned
• Nitroglycerin no longer gives you relief
• Your physician has determined that you are no longer a candidate for any invasive procedure

Your physician should exercise his/her medical judgement when applying the CardiAssist ECP System to patients with severe peripheral vascular disease, deep vein thrombosis, aortic regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy, pacemakers, left or right bundle block, uncontrolled arrhythmias, significant aortic valve disease, significant pulmonary disease, or unsuitable lower extremity anatomy (e.g amputation or congenital deformity). There is no data to support the use of ECP during pregnancy.

JUST WHAT IS AN ECP TREATMENT?

ECP is a non-invasive procedure that may reduce the symptoms of chronic angina by stimulating the formation of small branches of blood vessels (collaterals), which circumvent the blocked arteries.
Counter pulsation occurs while the heart is resting (diastole). It is during diastole that the system actually pumps, sending blood back to the heart. Air is inflated into a series of cuffs placed on your calves, thighs and buttocks. The system compresses your lower extremities in sequence (like a wave) which increases blood flow back toward your heart. The inflation of these cuffs is timed to your heart beat so the blood arrives at precisely the time the heart relaxes. A fraction of a second before your heart beats again, the cuffs are instantaneously deflated, enabling the blood in your heart to be pumped (systole), with minimal resistance. This decreases the amount of work your heart must perform.

IT'S AS SIMPLE AS 1,2,3...

One: ECP pumps, sending oxygenated blood to the heart during diastole (the heart is resting)
Two: ECP stops pumping just before the heart pumps, leaving the blood vessels open and void of resistance.
Three: Over the treatment period your angina is reduced, or may even be eliminated.

HOW DOES ECP TREATMENT HELP MY HEART WORK LESS?

ECP lowers your pressure during systole (when the heart is pumping) and increases your pressure during diastole (when the heart is resting). As a result your heart doesn't have to work as hard to supply your body with blood flow. A study 7 has shown the accumulation of 35 hours of treatment produces a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance similar to the "training effect" of exercise. The combination of improved myocardial perfusion and less vascular resistance may explain the symptomatic improvement in patients.

WHAT DOES ECP THERAPY FEEL LIKE?

ECP+ feels like a vigorous massage. After putting on your stretch tights, electrodes are applied to your chest to provide an ECG signal so that the system will be properly timed to your heartbeat. A sensor will also be clipped to your finger to give your blood pressure tracing. This is how your therapist determines the proper settings to maximize the effect of the therapy.
Next, the therapist places the cuff system around your calves, thighs and buttocks. When activated, the cuffs fell like "leg-hugs". These leg-hugs start in a wave form up the legs from the calves, to the thighs and finally the buttocks.

DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING BEFORE HAVING ECP THERAPY?

Once you know you qualify for ECP therapy there are a few helpful pre-treatment do's, don'ts and facts.
First, you must understand that you are committing to one hour sessions, five days per week, for seven weeks. Interruptions in the daily routine are not good and should be avoided if at all possible.You should plan to spend about an hour and a half each day at your treatment center.
You may feel somewhat tired at the end of the first week, due to the "passive exercise" effect of ECP.
Each day, your therapist will conduct a pre-treatment questionnaire, weigh you and take your blood pressure prior to starting your therapy.
We recommend the following:
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time
• Wear stretch tights to reduce skin irritation
• Wear form fitting underwear, not boxers
• Wear short socks if possible
• Consume very little food or fluids before treatment
• Be sure to urinate before starting the therapy
• Take your med's as directed by your physician
• Wear an open necked top, the looser fitting the better
• Bring music or Books on Tape/CD
• Bring your spouse/friend if you like

CLINICAL BENEFITS

External counter pulsation has produced positive effects in patients with coronary artery disease. These are some of the benefits that have been observed and or published in various medical publications:
• Relief from angina symptoms
• Fewer episodes of angina
• Improved treadmill exercise times
• Nuclear stress tests show increased blood flow
• Reduction in the need for anti-anginal medications
• Improvements in lifestyle activity levels
• Ability to return to work