Alternative therapy for medically refractory angina: enhanced external counterpulsation and transmyocardial laser

Ozlem Soran1

  • 1Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, Scaife Hall S-623, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

Cardiology Clinics
|August 6, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Medically refractory angina pectoris (RAP) remains challenging despite conventional treatments. External enhanced counterpulsation therapy shows promise as a complementary first-line approach for managing this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Medically refractory angina pectoris (RAP) signifies severe angina unresponsive to standard treatments, including revascularization.
  • Current treatments for coronary artery disease (CAD) manage symptoms but do not halt disease progression.
  • There is a need for novel therapeutic strategies to prevent CAD progression and symptom recurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate external enhanced counterpulsation (EECP) as a treatment for medically refractory angina pectoris (RAP).
  • To explore EECP's role in managing coronary artery disease (CAD) and complementing revascularization.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing data and clinical evidence supporting EECP in CAD management.
  • Analysis of EECP's efficacy in patients with refractory angina pectoris.

Main Results:

  • External enhanced counterpulsation therapy is a viable treatment option for CAD.
  • EECP can effectively complement invasive revascularization procedures.

Conclusions:

  • External enhanced counterpulsation therapy should be considered a first-line treatment for medically refractory angina pectoris.
  • EECP offers a promising therapeutic modality for managing complex CAD and improving patient outcomes.

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