The Effects of Enhanced External Counterpulsation on Cardiac Electrophysiologic Properties of Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease and Refractory Angina at Function Class II-III

Introduction: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive circulatory assist device that has been recently emerged as a treatment option for refractory angina or left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The aims of this study were to examine the effects of EECP on the elecrocardiographic parameters and the heart rate variability indices of patients with the coronary heart disease and function class II-III angina resistant to medication. Methods: In a descriptive study, the patients who presented with sever angina at function class II-III were studied. Those meeting the inclusion criteria were invited to participate and provided informed consent. The standard enhanced external counterpulsation treatment (35 one-hour procedures 5-6 times a week) was done. Thirty minute ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring and electrocardiogram before starting and at the end of treatment sessions were done. Data entry and analysis of data was done finally. Results: Twenty five patients with mean age 68 +/- 9 year including 21(84%) men and 4(16%) women were enrolled in this study. Electocardiogarphic parameters before and after treatment by EECP were not different statistically. Time domain indices of heart rate variability according to ambulatory monitoring findings were not changed significantly. Conclusion: Results of this study revealed that EECP did not improve the electrocardiographic and heart rate variability parameters of ischemic heart disease patients with refractory angina at function class II or III.