A new treatment modality in management of patients with cardiac syndrome X: Enhanced external counterpulsation

Abstract

We have greatly enjoyed reading the recently published article by Kronhaus and Lawson entitled with ‘Enhanced external counterpulsation is an effective treatment for syndrome X’[ [1] Kronhaus K.D. Lawson W.E. Enhanced external counterpulsation is an effective treatment for syndrome X. Int J Cardiol. 2009; 135: 256-257 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (47) Google Scholar ]. In that interesting clinical study enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) was used to treat 30 patients with refractory angina due to cardiac syndrome X, with an initial improvement in Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina class (3.57 to 1.43) and regional ischemia in all treated patients. At a mean of 11.9 months follow-up, 87% of patients had sustained improvement in angina and were without major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The authors conclude that EECP, by improving endothelial function, may be an effective and durable treatment for this often difficult to treat problem.