Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP)
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Overview
Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a new service that can provide relief from the crippling chest pain of angina pectoris. EECP is a simple, safe and effective non-invasive treatment for patients with angina that cannot be treated effectively medically or surgically. It involves 35 one-hour, outpatient treatments.Lourdes is one of only a handful of hospitals in the state of New Jersey to offer this service and the only hospital-based program in the Philadelphia region. Our location within the hospital adds a level of reassurance to patients that is not matched by stand-alone facilities.
Nearly 7 million people in the United States suffer from angina. Angina is often treated with medications or surgery. Many patients are not candidates for these two treatment methods. EECP stimulates the opening of new, natural pathways around narrowed or blocked arteries. EECP is recognized by the FDA and the medical community as an effective treatment for angina and is covered by medical insurance and Medicare.
EECP is a Treatment Alternative
EECP is a nonsurgical mechanical cardiac procedure proven to be safe and effective for individuals with angina or coronary artery disease.EECP is performed on an outpatient basis and often recommended for patients who:
- Are not surgical candidates due to an underlying medical condition, or
- Have had angioplasty or bypass surgery but their angina/heart disease symptoms have remained or returned, or
- Have not responded to medications
How it Works
EECP improves blood flow by increasing the formation of small blood vessels to create a natural pathway around damaged arteries. In other words, EECP assists the body in its own natural process, but performs it in a far more efficient manner. And there have been no major adverse side effects reported since the procedure was first introduced.After completing 35 one-hour treatments over a period of 7 weeks, EECP can relieve chest pain and other symptoms of blocked or narrowed arteries, and return patients to more active, normal lifestyles, without the risks of angioplasty and bypass surgery. These benefits have been shown to be sustained to most patients for several years and in some cases even longer.
During an EECP session, the patient lies on a comfortable, padded treatment table. Most patients read or listen to music during their treatments.
Pressure cuffs resembling those used to measure blood pressure (only larger) are placed around the patient's calves, lower and upper thighs. The cuffs are then inflated and deflated in sequence. The pressure is synchronized with the heartbeat so that the increased blood flow is delivered to the heart at the moment it is relaxing and blood flow through the coronary vessels is at its peak. Then, when the heart pumps again, the cuffs are deflated, so that blood may be pumped smoothly away from the heart.
EECP at Lourdes-Peace of Mind in a Hospital Setting
Although EECP is a safe, painless, treatment, our program offers all cardiac patients the peace of mind of 24-hour on-site emergency services only available in a hospital setting. Lourdes is one of just a handful of hospitals in the state of New Jersey and in the entire Delaware Valley to offer EECP.EECP is available at both Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden as well as Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County.
For more information about EECP at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, please contact Cheryl Marks RN, Program Coordinator at marksc@lourdesnet.org or 856-580-6309.
For the EECP Program at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, contact Kathleen Hammitt, R.N., Program Coordinator, at hammittk@lourdesnet.org or 609-835-3644.
