Experience of enhanced external counterpulsation application on dispensary-polyclinic stage rehabilitation of patients with refractory angina

Abstract

The aim is to assess the efficacy and safety of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) application in patients with refractory class (RC) III-IV angina during the dispensary-polyclinic stage rehabilitation in real clinical practice.Materials and methods. EECP was held in 87 patients with RC III-IV effort angina as part of polyclinic stage of rehabilitation in the Department of prevention and rehabilitation Cardiology Dispensary. EECP was held using standard technique. Each patient received procedures prolonging for 35 hours. All patients underwent physical examination, stress testing, echocardiography, and the determination of highly-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and the speed of glomerular filtrate (SGF) rate was studied, before the inclusion in the study and after its ending.Results. On comparing the data received before and after the course of EECP we found the statistically significant improvement of patients’ functional status, the reduction in RC of angina, the reduction of the need for nitrate, the increase of the effort tolerance, the reduction of CRP concentration and increase of the SGF rate.Conclusion. The experience of EECP application in rehabilitation of patients with RC III-IV effort angina shows the high efficacy and safety.