Is there a way in which Interventional Cardiologists utilize IECP ‘Increase External Counterpulsation’ along with their catheterization procedures? IECP ‘Increased External Counterpulsation’ can be very successfully and wisely be administered in following two ways, to suitable patients. CARDIAC REHABILITATION - As a second line treatment for those patients who have already undergone Angioplasty or CABG, by means of cardiac rehabilitation. NO OPTION PATIENTS - As a first line treatment for those patients who are not suitable for any further revascularization procedures like angioplasty or bypass.

The term ‘coronary heart disease’ covers a group of clinical syndromes, arising particularly from failure of the coronary arteries to supply adequate blood to the heart. They include Angina pectoris, Coronary thrombosis or heart attack and sudden death without infarction.

External CounterPulsation – Indications and Contraindications

External CounterPulsation (ECP) therapy is a safe and effective treatment that provides sustained duration of benefit in patients with disabling angina and angina equivalents, left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), and heart failure. IECP therapy is indicated for use in stable and unstable angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and cardiogenic shock.

Patients who can be benefited with External CounterPulsation (ECP)

The IECP Increased External CounterPulsation unit SL-100 from TeraMed is far more technologically advanced system than the legacy ECP units available in the market.

The working principle of this machine is on a unique design, which was designed jointly by team of TeraMed engineers and German engineers. The IECP unit uses the principle of velocity rather than volume. In the technology that uses volume normally the working nozzles are big in size to transfer volume of air from one area to another, as a result the patient is constantly in a position which we call as horse riding in which the patient is jumping throughout the treatment which is not recommended for patients above 55 years of age. There is a requirement of constant monitoring of the time parameter in the diastolic phase and the ecp therapist has to keep adjusting the parameters. The auto functions cannot be accurately adjusted as transfer of air from one area to another is a sluggish environment. The machine is bulky with excessive downtime primarily of moving components.

External CounterPulsation – The Benefits

External CounterPulsation (ECP) appears to have both short-term and long-term benefits. A study published in the Clinical Cardiology reported results in 33 patients with coronary heart disease who received External CounterPulsation (ECP).

External CounterPulsation – The Procedure

Contraindications

ECP should not be used for the treatment of patients with, or who develop the following disorders during the course of treatment with ECP:

MODEL SL-100

Increased External Counterpulsation is a nonsurgical, outpatient procedure to relieve or eliminate angina by improving perfusion in areas of the heart deprived of adequate blood supply. IECP treatment stimulates the natural process of developing collateral circulation and restores blood supply to the areas of heart that are deprived of a normal blood supply, but there are probably other, yet unexplained, mechanisms that contribute to the long lasting effects of IECP® treatment. The efficacy of this treatment is not a doubtful affair anymore, as hundreds and thousands of patients have been successfully treated with external counterpulsation worldwide and there is vast patient data and follow up studies available to confirm this fact. External Counterpulsation restores the patient’s lifestyle and they are able to live a normal healthy life after being treated on ecp. It surely works... and works even when angioplasty or bypass is declared unsuitable for a patient.