Enhanced external counterpulsation improves endothelial function and exercise capacity in patients With ischemic left ventricular dysfunction.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy decreases angina episodes and improves quality of life in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). However, studies have not elucidated the mechanisms of action and overall effects of EECP in patients with LVD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EECP on endothelial function in peripheral conduit arteries and exercise capacity (peak VO2) in patients with LVD.

Patients with ischemic LVD (EF 34.5±4.2%; n=9), and patients with symptomatic CAD and preserved LV function (EF 53.5±6.6%; n=15), were studied before and after 35 1-hr sessions of EECP. Brachial (bFMD) and femoral (fFMD) artery flow-mediated dilation were evaluated using high-resolution ultrasound. EECP elicited similar significant improvements in the following FMD parameters amongst the CAD and LVD groups, respectively: absolute bFMD (+53% and…