[Enhanced external counterpulsation therapy for patients with angina pectoris]

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive therapy offered to patients with angina pectoris who have unacceptable chest pain despite medical treatment and who have no operative options. During EECP three sets of pneumatic cuffs wrapped around the lower extremities are inflated to a pressure of 260-300 mmHg in diastole. This creates an augmented diastolic blood pressure and an increase in coronary blood flow. The therapy is usually given for one hour five days a week in seven weeks. EECP is known to reduce the frequency of angina, increase the quality of life and reduce the frequency of hospitalisation.