Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets
08:08

Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets

Published on: May 11, 2015

Acute hemodynamic effects and angina improvement with enhanced external counterpulsation

T Stys1, W E Lawson, J C Hui

  • 1Department of Surgery, SUNY at Stony Brook, NY, USA.

Angiology
|October 23, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) effectively treats coronary artery disease, showing comparable results in men and women. The hemodynamic effectiveness ratio (ER) did not predict patient improvement, suggesting other factors may be involved.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Noninvasive Cardiovascular Therapies

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) management often requires effective noninvasive treatments.
  • Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is recognized for its efficacy in CAD.
  • The hemodynamic mechanisms of EECP, quantified by the effectiveness ratio (ER), are under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between the effectiveness ratio (ER) and post-treatment improvement in Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina class.
  • To analyze EECP treatment outcomes in subgroups, specifically women and the elderly.
  • To explore potential predictors of EECP treatment success.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective clinical registry (EECP Clinical Consortium) enrolled 395 patients with chronic stable angina.
  • The effectiveness ratio (ER) was calculated during the first and last hours of a 35-hour EECP treatment course.
  • Subgroup analyses were conducted for gender and age (<=66 vs >66 years).

Main Results:

  • Overall, 88% of patients experienced at least a one-class improvement in CCS angina class post-EECP.
  • No significant differences in treatment response were observed between men and women or between age groups.
  • Significant differences in the first-hour ER were noted between men and women, and between age groups, but ER did not correlate with CCS improvement.

Conclusions:

  • EECP is an effective treatment for improving angina class in patients with chronic stable CAD.
  • Treatment efficacy is comparable across genders and age groups.
  • The hemodynamic effectiveness ratio (ER) does not predict clinical improvement, suggesting that neurohormonal factors may play a role in EECP's benefits.

More Related Videos

Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring of Aortic and Pulmonary Artery Hemodynamics in a Large Animal Model of ARDS08:12

Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring of Aortic and Pulmonary Artery Hemodynamics in a Large Animal Model of ARDS

Published on: November 26, 2018

Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine12:37

Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine

Published on: February 9, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and &#946;-Blockers01:16

Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers

In cardiovascular health, antianginal drugs combat angina pectoris — a condition marked by chest pain owing to diminished blood flow to the heart.
Organic nitrates,  such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Administered...
Angina V: Nursing Management01:20

Angina V: Nursing Management

Angina, a symptom of myocardial ischemia, requires a structured nursing management approach to ensure effective care and prevent complications like myocardial infarction. Comprehensive nursing care involves assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing interventions, and evaluating outcomes, all tailored to the individual patient's needs.Patient AssessmentNursing assessment begins with a detailed subjective evaluation of symptoms, which typically include chest pain or pressure radiating to the...
Angina IV: Management01:26

Angina IV: Management

IntroductionThe management of angina requires a comprehensive approach that includes pharmacological therapies, medical procedures, and lifestyle modifications.Pharmacological TherapiesAntiplatelet agents, such as aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor, play a pivotal role in preventing thrombus formation in patients with angina. These medications inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce the likelihood of myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular events.Anticoagulants, including...
Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment01:29

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment

Angina manifests as chest pain, tightness, or squeezing discomfort typically located behind the breastbone. It can radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and inner aspects of the upper arms, most commonly the left arm. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, profuse sweating, dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, palpitations, anxiety, and vomiting as accompanying symptoms. This pain often lasts a few minutes and is triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, heavy meals, or cold...
Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine01:25

Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine

Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
Heart Failure Drugs: &#946;-Blockers01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...