ENHANCED EXTERNAL COUNTER PULSATION

[Dalubaba]

EECP TREATMENT IS QUITE IN THE NEWS.iT IS NON-INVASIVE. HENCE IT IS PREFERRED BY A PATIENT. i FEEL TIGHTNESS IN MY FEET.I HAVE NO DIABETIS, NO IRON AND B12 DEFICIENCY, AND NEUROLOGICAL REFLEXES ARE NORMAL. WOULD EECP WILL HELP ME BY INCREASING CIRCULATION OF BLOOD IN MY FEET? CAN ANYBODY GIVE DETAILS ON THE SUBJECT.   I DO NOT HAVE ANY CARDIAC PROBEM AT PRESENT. CAN EECP WORK AS A PREVENTIVE AGAINST HEART DISEASE OR STROKE?

[kenkeith]

TAKE CARE AND GOOD LUCK.

[Dalubaba]

iI AM INDEED THANKFUL TO YOU FOR GIVING ME PRACTICAL ADVOCE/ I WILL INFORM YOU WHAT HAPPENS WITH MY VISIT TO THE HOSPITA. THANKS.

[kenkeith]

The person I corresponded with had moderate valve problem and had the opinion that it may have damaged his valve further with EECP.  I have a valve (moderate to severe) problem, and not having chest pains with medication, I didn't want to have EECP therapy with just the expectation that after the therapy I would not any longer need medication for chest pains weighed against the probability of aggravating the valve regurgitation.  Just unprofessional opinions and no medical evidence.  My doctor stated it would not hurt the valves!

I doubt very much if it would do you any harm as your consulation has stated.  The literature on EECP states the therapy is for those with heart failure and heart related chest pains.  Because there is a direct effect on vessels (including the legs),  EECP could be helpful, but there is no evidence I have seen supporting help for a condition such as yours.  If you are holding back because of any possible harm, you should not let that interfere with a decision because there is no medical evidence supporting any harmful effects subsequent to the procedure.

[Dalubaba]

SORRY I HAVE TO WRITE IN CAPS AS I AM HAVING AMD.I READ WITH MAGNIFYING GLASS.
MANY THANKS FOR PROVIDING FIRST HAND INFORMATION. I GIVE MY SHORT CASE HISTORY.:
i AM 79.HYPOTHYROID(CONTROLLED WITH 100MG. THYROXIN) HAVING TINITUS, DEAFNESS SINCE 15 YEARS,.AGE-RELATED MACULAR DETERIORATION SINCE THREE YRS . MAY GO FOR CATARACT SURGERY.MILD G.I PROBLEM LIKE CONSTPATION AND FLATULRNCE.I SMOKED CIGS FOR 50YRS 20 CIGS PER DAY FOR 20YRS AND 10 CIGS PER DAY FOR 30 YRS)STOPPED SMOKING SINCE THELAST 4YRS.
SINCE LAST 4 YRS. I AM HAVINT SENSATIONS OF TIGHTNESS IN FEET(LEFT IS TIGHTER) AND MILD SWELLING AND SLIGHT NUMNESS IN LEGS INCLUDING  GROIN..i HAVE NO CARDIAC PAIN.CARDIOGRAM IS NORMAL.i DO GET SOMTIMES JAW PAIN WHICH IS MILD AND TRANSIENT, NOT REQUIRING ANY MEDICATION.
I AM IAT INDORE (INDIA)
RECENTLY A HOSPITAl HAS INSTALLED EECP MACHINE.I WAS PROMPTED TO THINK OF THIS THERAPY BECAUSE OF ITS SUPPOSED SAFETY. IF IT HAS SOME NEGETIVE EFFECT ON VALVES, THEN IT MAY NOT BE ADVISIBLE TO GO FOR THIS THERAPY.I AM NOT INSURED AND I AM READY TO SPEND IF MY PROBLEM OF TIGHT FEET IS REDUCED AND IF STROKE CAN BE PRVENTED. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN FURTHER ENLIGHTEN ME ON THIS SUBJECT.
YOURS,
DALUBABA ((DALSUKH)

[kenkeith]

ENHANCED EXTERNAL COUNTER PULSATION
by Dalubaba, Sep 29, 2009 10:18AM
EECP TREATMENT IS QUITE IN THE NEWS.iT IS NON-INVASIVE. HENCE IT IS PREFERRED BY A PATIENT. i FEEL TIGHTNESS IN MY FEET.I HAVE NO DIABETIS, NO IRON AND B12 DEFICIENCY, AND NEUROLOGICAL REFLEXES ARE NORMAL. WOULD EECP WILL HELP ME BY INCREASING CIRCULATION OF BLOOD IN MY FEET? CAN ANYBODY GIVE DETAILS ON THE SUBJECT.   I DO NOT HAVE ANY CARDIAC PROBEM AT PRESENT. CAN EECP WORK AS A PREVENTIVE AGAINST HEART DISEASE OR STROKE?

My cardio's hospital recently (8 months ago) installed an EECP for therapy.  The doctor has anecdotal evidence the therapy helps those with angina (chest pain from lack of adequate blood flow to the heart).  He stated at the last visit a patient was able to play 3 rounds of golf when prior didn't have the energy with chest pain.  That is attributed to increasing collateral blood feed to under supplied heart areas.  Most private insurance companies have coverage similar to Medicare.  I canceled my appointment to begin the therapy....I'm not convinced the therapy does not harm valve regurgitation disorder....several months ago a patient posted he believed his valve condition was aggravated by the procedure, and that caused me to think twice, as I don't have any symptoms with medication.

The procedure involves cuffing the legs and buttock and inflation when the heart is at rest when the heart normally gets it's supply of blood/oxygen and deflation at the end of the rest period just before the next heartbeat. There is an increase of blood/oxygen to heart muscle, and all cuffs deflate at the same time that decreases the amount of work the heart has to do. An EKG monitoring the heartbeats is the sensor for timing the EECP.

The therapy is for heart failure patients and those with angina.  I know the insurance will not pay unless all other procedures are exhausted for heart patients...Well, it can be beneificial to the same degree or more that regular exercise provides.  You may want to get into an exercise program ...not having diabetes is a plus.  Hope that helps.

[ed34]

well I personally believe this new treatment will only be available to anyone who has no other options remaining. Such as no viability for bypass or stenting. Everyone else will have to have conventional treatment. Maybe in the distant future it will become more commonly used. I supposed it depends on costs. How much does it cost for 35 sessions of EECP with follow up sessions? how much does it cost to put in a stent?