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Enhanced external counterpulsation has no lasting effect on ambulatory blood pressure

Ole May1, Wael Abdulla Mohammed Khair

  • 1Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Region Hospital Herning, Herning, Denmark. ole_may@yahoo.dk

Clinical Cardiology
|August 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) did not significantly alter ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in patients with refractory angina. This study found no lasting blood pressure lowering effect from EECP treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Hypertension Management

Background:

  • Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive therapy sometimes used for cardiovascular conditions.
  • Previous studies suggested EECP may reduce blood pressure (BP) based on clinic readings.
  • The efficacy of EECP on long-term BP control using ambulatory BP monitoring (ABP) remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the sustained impact of a course of EECP on blood pressure.
  • To assess changes in BP using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABP) after EECP treatment.
  • To determine if EECP offers a lasting BP-lowering effect in patients with refractory angina.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 50 patients with refractory angina pectoris undergoing EECP were enrolled.
  • Ambulatory BP was measured at five time points: 2 months pre-EECP, pre-EECP, post-EECP, 3 months post-EECP, and 12 months post-EECP.
  • Antihypertensive medications were kept constant; BP changes were analyzed using repeated measures analysis.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant changes in mean daytime or nighttime ambulatory BP were observed at any follow-up point compared to baseline.
  • Analysis controlling for baseline BP levels also revealed no significant alterations in ABP.
  • While angina severity improved (Canadian Cardiovascular Society class from 2.6 to 1.5), BP remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

  • A course of enhanced external counterpulsation treatment does not appear to have a lasting effect on ambulatory blood pressure in patients with refractory angina.
  • The study suggests that EECP's benefits in this population may not extend to significant or sustained BP reduction.
  • Further research could explore alternative mechanisms or patient subgroups where EECP might influence BP.
Abstract

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