Circulatory assistance provided by CardioAssist 4500gs™ ECP Therapy results in external augmentation pressure increasing coronary and systemic perfusion. CardioAssist 4500gs™ ECP Therapy may be indicated when physiological changes have reduced, or have the capacity to reduce, the heart's pumping action. It may also be indicated when the quality of life is compromised due to ischemic heart disease. 


The patient lies on a treatment table where compressive cuffs (similar to large blood pressure cuffs) are securely wrapped around the patient's calves, thighs and buttocks. These cuffs inflate in a distal to proximal sequence in early diastole, and deflate simultaneously in late diastole just prior to the onset of systole. Inflation and deflation are specifically timed to the patient's ECG to optimize therapeutic benefit.

Approximately 70% of myocardial perfusion with arterial blood occurs during diastole. It is during diastole that CardioAssist 4500gs™ ECP Therapy produces an increase in pressure within the aorta, increasing perfusion to the coronary arteries and to the arterial and vascular system. Relaxation of the cuff pressure during cardiac systole lowers the resistance to blood flow in the patient's legs, reducing the back pressure on the heart as it ejects its bolus of blood. The combination of increased coronary flow (augmentation) and reduction of cardiac work (afterload) by CardioAssist 4500gs™ ECP Therapy improves cardiac function. The overall effect is to increase oxygen supply while reducing oxygen demand. 



CardioAssist 4500gs™ ECP Therapy is typically provided in 35 one-hour treatment sessions over a period of approximately seven weeks. Additional hours may safely and effectively be prescribed if physician evaluation of the patient's response to treatment determines additional sessions will result in greater relief of symptoms. In certain circumstances, adjusting the patient's treatment regimen to two hours per day can make it more comfortable for the patient to complete a course of CardioAssist 4500gs therapy.




Beneficial Mechanism of ECP

Schecter, Hod et al report that the mechanisms of action for ECP therapy are not yet definitely defined. Many clinical studies however, identify components of the hemodynamic, physiological and neurohormonal cascades that ECP initiates.

The many beneficial effects that ECP produces appear to emanate through arterial diastolic augmentation. The retrograde pressure wave increases coronary perfusion pressure, which creates a gradient between ischemic and nonischemic areas of the myocardium that can recruit latent conduits and increase myocardial perfusion. Increased nitric oxide (NO) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and decreased endothelin (ET‐1) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) raise the possibility of peripheral benefits as well as restored coronary flow reserve. Increased endothelial shear stress releases growth factor, which can improve endothelial function.

Bonetti, et al have concluded that external counter pulsation is associated with an acute improvement in peripheral endothelial function, as is demonstrated by the acute increase in RH‐PAT index observed in response to ECP during the first three days of treatment. By increasing coronary blood flow, ECP is thought to promote myocardial collateralization via opening of pre‐formed collaterals. Increased blood flow and shear stress may also improve coronary endothelial function favoring vasodilation and myocardial perfusion.

ECP Critical Component

ECP's primary benefits are derived from the increase of oxygen to all of the critical systems and organs of the body. 

The Importance of Oxygen

Most of us suffer from a lack of oxygen. Whether from improper breathing, poor diets, air pollution or lack of exercise, our cells are being deprived of this vital element and thus weakening our immune system.

Oxygen (O2) is one of the most important elements required to sustain life. Without it, our health begins to suffer and/or we die. Unhealthy or weak cells due to improper metabolism lose their natural immunity and are thus susceptible to viruses and lead the way to all kinds of serious health problems.

O2 not only gives us life but destroys also the harmful bacteria in our bodies without affecting the beneficial bacteria that we need. No antibiotic or drug can make that claim. I believe that God's plan for mankind was for us to lead a physically productive life in a clean environment, following His dietary laws and not require drugs to remain healthy...our bodies would then receive the sustenance it needs.

Life styles today, in a modern world environment with depleted O2 levels in the atmosphere, actually requires our cells to use more of this odorless/colorless gas to deal with several stresses on our body's ability to function, increases the risk of obesity. Conversely, reducing these major stressors through greater oxygenation eliminates cellular toxins at an increased rate, increasing metabolism and assists in weight loss as a benefit of therapy.

The major causes of stress are:

Toxic stress: A constant need for cellular detoxification from chemical exposure.

Emotional stress requiring the production of adrenaline and andrenal hormones 

Physical trauma that reduces circulation and O2 supply 

Infections that use up O2 to combat bacteria, fungi and viruses. 

An acidic diet producing an excessive number of hydrogen ions in the tissues that combine with  and also use up O2. Acidity also stresses the body to balance itself and become more alkaline by  taking calcium from our bones.

Yeast infections, such as candida albicans occur most frequently in an oxygen poor environment in the body. Currently, I would say that, we have an epidemic of common yeast infections in our modern society. Yeast cells produce large amounts of acetaldehyde which cause cellular damage, interfere with intestinal absorption and disrupt white and red blood cell functions.

Increasing O2 levels in our body and eliminating commercial yeast and sugary foods from our diets will lessen this problem.

A primary solution to these problems is the use of External Counter Pulsation as a means of rebalancing,  regenerating and revitalizing the body to ensure a long and healthy life.