Open AccessCurrent use of enhanced external counterpulsation and patient selection
Author(s) -
Lawson William E.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960251406
Subject(s) - medicine , coronary artery disease , reimbursement , revascularization , intensive care medicine , adverse effect , cardiovascular event , clinical trial , disease , cardiology , myocardial infarction , health care , economics , economic growth
Most patients who receive enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) have symptomatic coronary artery disease. These patients have either responded poorly to pharmacologic therapy or are poor candidates for revascularization procedures. Such patients receive a variety of consistent benefits from EECP treatment. As more is learned about EECP, patients once excluded from early clinical trials are now able to take advantage of EECP. Nevertheless, EECP is not suitable for some patients. It has a favorable adverse event profile for most patients undergoing the treatment. Medicare reimbursement coverage limitations remain an obstacle to having a broad cross‐section of patients benefit from EECP.