Residual high-grade angina after enhanced external counterpulsation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the degree of residual angina on the outcomes of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy for chronic stable angina.


BACKGROUND
Angina refractory to medical therapy is common in the pool of patients who are not completely revascularized by angioplasty or bypass surgery.


METHODS
We examined 902 patients enrolled from 1998 to 2001 in the Second International Enhanced External Counterpulsation Patient Registry. Baseline and outcome variables were stratified by the last recorded Canadian Cardiovascular Society class.


RESULTS
Residual Class 3 (12.1%) or 4 (2.3%) angina was uncommon among patients with severe coronary artery disease after treatment with EECP. Prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and heart failure was similar among the anginal post-EECP anginal classes. Multivessel coronary disease was more common in those with higher-grade angina at completion. More frequent and severe angina at entry was more common in those with the higher anginal classes at EECP (P<.001). There were no differences in the rates of chronic medications utilized or prior revascularization. At 3-year follow-up, rates of death, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass surgery tended to be higher across increasing residual angina classes. The composite cardiac event rates were 34%, 33%, and 44% for those with Class 0, Class 1/2, and Class 3/4 angina at EECP completion (P=.01), respectively. Multivariate analysis for the composite endpoint found residual Class 3/4 angina (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.19-2.17, P=.002), diabetes (OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.23-2.01, P=.0003), age (per decile OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.04-1.31, P=.007), and greater EECP augmentation (OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.65-0.96, P=.02) as significant predictors.


CONCLUSIONS
Residual high-grade angina after EECP occurs in those with more severe angina and multivessel disease at baseline and is associated with cardiac events over the next 3 years. These data suggest that close clinical observation and intensive management of those with high-grade angina post-EECP are warranted.
McCullough
Peter A
PA
Department of Medicine, Divisions of Cardiology, Nutrition and Preventive Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA. pmc975@yahoo.com
Henry
Timothy D
TD
Kennard
Elizabeth D
ED
Kelsey
Sheryl F
SF
Michaels
Andrew D
AD
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D002908:Chronic Disease; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D015908:Counterpulsation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012008:Recurrence; D012042:Registries; D012086:Reoperation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014665:Vasodilator Agents