[External counterpulsation in treating angina pectoris evaluated by Tl-201 myocardial perfusion imaging]

Twenty patients with angina pectoris were treated with external counterpulsation (ECP) for 36 hours, and the effects of the therapy were evaluated by comparing the images of thallium-201 myocardial perfusion before and after ECP. Improvement of myocardial perfusion after ECP, evidenced by decrease in area of defects in scintigram, was demonstrated in 15 (75%) cases. The mechanism of the effect of ECP on ischemic myocardium was discussed.