How EECP Therapy Improves Blood Vessel Function in Patients with Chronic Angina

This post is an excerpt from an article originally published in 2012 by the National Library of Medicine. Click the link at the bottom to read the full article.

Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive treatment that helps improve blood flow to the heart and is recommended for selected patients with chronic stable angina who continue to have symptoms despite optimal medical therapy or are not suitable candidates for further revascularization.

A landmark randomized, sham-controlled clinical study evaluated how EECP affects the health of blood vessels beyond the heart.

Key Findings

Researchers studied 42 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent either standard EECP therapy or a sham (placebo) treatment over 35 one-hour sessions.

The study found that patients receiving EECP experienced:

• Improved function of the arteries in both the arms and legs, indicating healthier blood vessels.
• Increased production of nitric oxide, a natural substance that helps blood vessels relax and improves circulation.
• Reduced levels of endothelin-1, a chemical that causes blood vessels to constrict.
• Significant reductions in markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to the progression of cardiovascular disease.
• A meaningful improvement in angina symptoms and overall exercise tolerance compared with the sham treatment group.

What This Means for Patients

These findings suggest that the benefits of EECP extend beyond improving blood flow to the heart. By enhancing endothelial function —the ability of blood vessels to dilate normally—EECP may improve circulation throughout the body and contribute to better cardiovascular health in appropriately selected patients.

While EECP is not a replacement for healthy lifestyle habits, medications, or revascularization when indicated, it can be an effective non-invasive treatment option for eligible patients with chronic angina.

Reference: Arora RR, et al. Enhanced external counterpulsation improves peripheral artery flow-mediated dilation in patients with chronic angina: A randomized sham-controlled study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2010.

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