title: Enhanced external counterpulsation - effect on angina pectoris, QoL and exercise capacity after 1 year.
abstract: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a new therapy offered to patients with refractory angina pectoris (AP).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of EECP on AP, quality of life (QoL) and exercise capacity in a design starting with a control period to avoid the influence of regression-towards-the-mean.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were examined two months before EECP, just before, just after, and three and 12 months after EECP. EECP was given for 1 h 5 days a week in 7 weeks. Three sets of pneumatic cuffs were mounted on the lower extremities and inflated sequentially in diastole to 260 mm Hg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  50 patients were included (male 72%, mean age: 62.5 years). Mean daily AP attacks were reduced during EECP from 2.7 to 0.9 (p < 0.005) and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification was reduced by at least 1 class in 82% just after EECP, 79% 3 months and 76% 12 months after EECP (p < 0.0002). Generic (SF36) and disease-specific QoL (Seattle AP questionnaire) improved just after, 3 and 12 months after compared with that before EECP. There was a significant improvement in exercise capacity and exercise-induced chest pain just after, three and 12 months after EECP (p < 0.02). No change was detected during the control period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EECP improves generic and disease-specific QoL, angina intensity and exercise capacity in at least 12 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital West Jutland , Denmark.
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lynggaard
authors.forename: Jesper C A
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malczynski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015908:Counterpulsation; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: EECP; angina pectoris; exercise capacity; quality of life