title: ECG-triggered skeletal muscle stimulation improves hemodynamics and physical performance of heart failure patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Muscular counterpulsation (MCP) was developed for circulatory assistance by stimulation of peripheral skeletal muscles. We report on a clinical MCP study in patients with and without chronic heart failure (CHF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCP treatment was applied (30 patients treated, 25 controls, all under optimal therapy) for 30 minutes during eight days by an ECG-triggered, battery-powered, portable pulse generator with skin electrodes inducing light contractions of calf and thigh muscles, sequentially stimulated at early diastole. Hemodynamic parameters (ECG, blood pressure and echocardiography) were measured one day before and one day after the treatment period in two groups: Group 1 (9 MCP, 11 no MCP) with ejection fraction (EF) above 40% and Group 2 (21 MCP, 14 no MCP) below 40%. In Group 2 (all patients suffering from CHF) mean EF increased by 21% (p<0.001) and stroke volume by 13% (p<0.001), while end systolic volume decreased by 23% (p<0.001). In Group 1, the increase in EF (6%) and stroke volume (8%) was also significant (p<0.05) but less pronounced than in Group 2. Physical exercise duration and walking distance increased in Group 2 by 56% and 72%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Noninvasive MCP treatment for eight days substantially improves cardiac function and physical performance in patients with CHF.
authors: Bakoulev Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, Moscow, Russia.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Lapanashvili
authors: Y I
authors: YI
authors: Buziashvili
authors: S T
authors: ST
authors: Matskeplishvili
authors: T G
authors: TG
authors: Lobjanidze
authors: L A
authors: LA
authors: Bockeria
authors: P P
authors: PP
authors: Huber
authors: O M
authors: OM
authors: Hess
authors: B H
authors: BH
authors: Walpoth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015908:Counterpulsation / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome