EECP information

  My father is 73 yrs old. In 1980-81 he had 9 bypasses.  In the past 10 years he has had 8 angioplastys and 2 stents.  He still suffers from anginas which never develop a pattern.  His cardiologist has now recommended that he try enhanced external counterpulsation.  It has been difficult to get information on this procedure that has not been published by the company which manufactures the equipment for the procedure.  Insurance does not pay for the procedure and my father and I are trying to obtain some unbiased information about this procedure.  Is it worth the money and can we get some opinions from doctors about the results from this procedure.  It is effective for some individuals?  My father is left with few options so we would like to get as much information about this procedure as possible.  Thank you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Brenda:
External counterpulsation is a new, experimental therapy for angina.  I know of respectable cardiologists that are investigating this treatment and think it has merit.  I have no personal experience with prescribing this therapy and am waiting  for the results of clinical trials to be published before recommending it.  It is time-consuming and expensive, and I would not rush into this form of therapy yet.
There are a number of experimental therapies that might be useful for your father.  Laser therapy or gene therapy are also experimental therapies, but they are a little further down the pipeline.  The Cleveland Clinic is investigating these therapies for people who are not candidates for bypass surgery or angioplasty.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F25.