ENHANCED EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION
EECP is a noninvasive procedure in which a set of inflatable cuffs (much like blood pressure cuffs) mechanically compress the blood vessels in a patient's lower limbs to increase blood flow in the coronary arteries of the heart. The blood pressure cuffs are wrapped around the patient's calves, thighs, and buttocks. Computer technology, electrocardiography and blood pressure monitors enable the accurate timing of gentle but firm inflation and deflation of the pressure cuffs with the patient's heartbeat and blood pressure.
EECP is performed to restore blood flow to the heart and to relieve chest pain (angina) and ischemia. The goals of the procedure are to relieve symptoms of coronary artery disease, enable the patient to resume a normal lifestyle, and lower the risk of a heart attack or other heart problems. EECP may encourage blood vessels to open small channels (called collaterals) to eventually bypass blocked vessels and improve blood flow to the heart.
EECP is used to treat patients with chronic stable angina, coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. Most recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved EECP for the treatment of congestive heart failure.
The treatment may be appropriate for patients who are not eligible for such non-surgical interventional procedures as balloon angioplasty. It may also be used for patients who do not qualify for such surgical treatment as coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Tilt table testing is used to evaluate how the body regulates blood pressure in response to some very simple stresses. Blood pressure is regulated by a set of nerves, which operate continuously and subconsciously and are part of the autonomic nervous system. This set of nerves detects certain bodily needs and in response makes appropriate changes in blood pressure.
This part of the autonomic nervous system ensures there always is enough blood going to the brain, and distributes blood to other organs according to their needs.
At times, the nerves, which control blood pressure, may not operate properly, causing the blood pressure to drop suddenly. This reaction may produce a fainting spell or a number of symptoms including severe lightheadedness. Tilt table testing is designed to determine the likelihood that a patient is susceptible to this type of reaction.
Patients who have symptoms indicating a sudden drop in blood pressure may benefit from the evaluation of blood pressure regulation with a tilt table test. Tilt table testing may also be useful for patients who have symptoms of severe lightheadedness or dizziness, which don't actually cause them to faint, but force them to sit down or lie down.
