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Enhanced External Counterpulsation Effective in Heart Failure Patients With Angina: Presented at HFSA

By Bonnie Darves

SEATTLE, WA -- September 25, 2006 -- A new study on enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) has found the treatment provides significant symptom improvement in angina patients with heart failure (HF), including those who have both conditions and diabetes.

A team of researchers from centers in New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois found in their study of 147 diabetic and 130 non-diabetic patients who completed the EECP treatment for 32 hours experienced a reduction of 8 episodes weekly, decreased use of nitroglycerin and improved quality of life.

The mean age in both cohorts was 70, and the majority were male (77% diabetics and 70% non-diabetics). Body mass index was significantly higher in diabetics (at 31.5 vs 27.8, respectively).

The noninvasive EECP treatment, which involves wrapping three sets of cuffs around the lower extremities, and inflating and deflating them in synchronization with each cardiac cycle, has been found to improve endothelial function while increasing nitric oxide.

Lead researcher William E. Lawson, MD, professor of medicine and director, cardiac catheterization laboratories, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, presented the study findings here on September 12^th at the Heart Failure Society of America meeting (HFSA).

At the end of the treatment period, approximately 45% of non-diabetic patients and 41% of diabetic patients who underwent EECP were able to discontinue their nitroglycerin therapy.

Both groups experienced a one-class improvement in New York Heart Association HF classification during study.

Rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the study was markedly higher in diabetics (6.1% vs 0%).

The researchers concluded that diabetic patients should only undergo EECP in appropriate clinical treatment settings, Dr. Lawson said. Physicians may need to exercise "increased vigilance" during treatment of those patients, they said.


[Presentation title: Enhanced External Counterpulsation in the Treatment of Angina Patients with Heart Failure and Diabetes. Abstract 433]

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