Effects of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) on myocardial perfusion.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) exerts an effect on myocardial perfusion.


METHODS
Eleven patients with angina were studied before and after 35 sessions of EECP treatment. Myocardial perfusion was quantified with positron emission tomography and intravenous 13N-ammonia at rest and after dipyridamole, by means of a two-compartment mathematical model.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that EECP has no effect on myocardial perfusion. However, because of the small number of patients in this study and highly variable clinical responses, additional studies are required to corroborate this finding. The beneficial effects of EECP appear to be mediated by other mechanisms.
Arora
Rohit R
RR
Department of Medicine, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60064, USA. rohit.arora@med.va.gov
Bergmann
Steven
S
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D015908:Counterpulsation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography