Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2012;12(3):214-21. doi: 10.5152/akd.2012.064. Epub 2012 Feb 24.
Clinical effects of enhanced external counterpulsation treatment in patients with ischemic heart failure.
Kozdağ G, Ertaş G, Aygün F, Emre E, Kırbaş A, Ural D, Soran O.
Source
Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli-Turkey. drgokhanertas@yahoo.com.tr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive treatment that is proven safe and effective in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF). The aims of this study are to investigate the clinical effects of EECP therapy in patients with symptomatic CAD and chronic HF, and to find out an answer to the question: Does EECP therapy have any effect on the prognostic markers of HF?
METHODS:
This study was designed as a prospective cohort study. A total of 68 consecutive patients with symptomatic CAD and chronic HF referred to EECP therapy were enrolled in this study between November 2007 and December 2010; 47 patients (39 males and 8 females, 65±7, years), have undergone EECP treatment, and 21 patients (20 males and 1 female, 62±10 years), who did not want to participate in the EECP program comprised the control group. Statistical analysis was performed using t tests for dependent and independent samples, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square and Fischer exact tests. Results: EECP therapy resulted in significant Improvement in post-intervention New York Heart Association functional class (p<0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.001), B-type natriuretic peptide levels (p<0.003), uric acid levels (p<0.05), free-T3/free-T4 ratio (p<0.034) and mitral annular E (p<0.05) velocity, compared with baseline, a finding not evident in the control group.
CONCLUSION:
EECP treatment significantly improved clinical and some biochemical parameters, which are mostly prognostic markers in patients with symptomatic CAD and chronic HF.
Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2012 Mar;23(2):127-31. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0b013e32834ee144.
Effect of enhanced external counterpulsation treatment on mean platelet volume in patients affected by ischemic chronic heart failure.
Ertaş G, Kozdağ G, Emre E, Akay Y, Ural D, Hebert K.
Source
Department of Cardiology, Gümüşhane State Hospital, Gumushane, Turkey. drgokhanertas@yahoo.com.tr
Abstract
Mean platelet volume (MPV) is increased in chronic heart failure (CHF) and is an independent predictor of mortality in CHF patients. It is not known whether enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy leads to decreased MPV values or not. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of EECP on platelet count and MPV values and to assess the influence of MPV on the risk of death and recurrent ischemic events in ischemic CHF patients. A total of 68 ischemic heart failure patients with CHF symptoms and refractory angina pectoris were included in the study, 47 consecutive patients (39 males and eight females) aged 44-82 years. Although follow-up period started after completion of EECP in treated patients, control group follow-up started at the end of 7-week treatment without EECP. All patients were monitored for a mean duration of 13 ± 8 months (range, 1-36 months). The primary endpoints of the study were effects of EECP treatment on platelets after treatment period (7 weeks) and the recurrence of ischemic events. Secondary endpoint was cardiovascular death during the follow-up period. We observed a significant increase in platelet count and decrease in MPV levels (P = 0.044 and P = 0.004, respectively) in the control group. There were no significant differences in platelet count and MPV levels in the EECP group (P > 0.05). After the treatment period, New York Heart Association functional classification (2.60 ± 0.75 vs. 1.72 ± 0.68, P < 0.001) and Canadian Cardiovascular Society functional classification of angina (2.50 ± 0.90 vs. 1.60 ± 0.74, P < 0.001) improved in patients with EECP treatment. In our study, we found that EECP therapy had a neutral effect on MPV values and platelet count.
PMID:
22157258
[PubMed – in process]
