Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP)

The History of EECP

Invented in Boston in the late 1960s, EECP was effective in treating cardiogenic shock, or severe heart failure due to heart muscle damage, a condition that was otherwise almost uniformly fatal. The technique however was cumbersome, and fell out of favor while more intricate and expensive procedures such as cardiac bypass surgery came into use. Researchers in mainland China during the 1980s improved the technology and effectively treated patients with heart disease and stroke.

In 1990 a brilliant physiologist named Dr. John Hui brought the technology back into the United States, and persuaded physicians at Stony Brook Hospital in New York to begin research. EECP proved so effective in reducing angina symptoms that the FDA approved it for the treatment of stable angina and many insurance including Medicare now reimburse for treatment.

Today, EECP is also approved by the FDA to treat congestive heart failure, which is responsible for the highest number of hospitalizations in our country.

How It Works

EECP is completely noninvasive and requires no anesthesia or recovery time. A set of inflatable cuffs is placed around the legs and pelvis. The cuffs are sequentially inflated from the bottom up, under high pressure. This causes the arteries and veins in the lower extremities to collapse and forces the blood upwards toward the heart. A wave of pressure then proceeds into the heart and into the coronary arteries. The result is a significant increase in cardiac blood flow. After a series of treatments, usually 35, 1-hour in length, collateral blood vessels develop around the heart, creating a natural bypass around the occluded vessels. The response rate for patients suffering from angina is around 80 percent, with none of the risks of open-heart surgery or angioplasty.

Figure showing the action of EECP cuff inflation during treatment

People who complete a series of EECP treatments often have fewer episodes of angina, reduce or eliminate their need for anti-angina medications, have greater exercise tolerance and improved endurance and have a greatly improved overall quality of life.

What Does It Feel Like?

EECP treatment is similar having a set of giant blood pressure cuffs on your legs. Since the cuffs are inflated and deflated in time to your heart beat, some patients compare treatment to a rhythmic massage. Most patients listen to music read a book or even take a relaxing nap while receiving EECP treatments. Many feel alert, rested and energetic after their treatment is over.

EECP for other Medical Conditions

Because it boosts circulation throughout the body, external counterpulsation is a general panacea. It is perhaps the most potent antiaging therapy. It should be considered in any program to support individual well-being.

There are numerous other benefits, since having counterpulsation is like adding a second heart to the body. Increased blood flow occurs in the brain, kidneys, intestines, and all other parts of the body. Complex hormonal interactions are stimulated, resulting in improved kidney function, lowering of blood pressure, increased energy, endurance, and sense of well-being. Patients with stroke have experienced much quicker improvement than would otherwise occur.

Medications used for treating chest pain as well as high blood pressure may be reduced and sometimes completely eliminated. EECP is also effective in boosting athletic performance, providing a complete, passive cardiovascular workout, reducing lactic acid buildup and increasing blood and lymph flow in muscles.

Investigate EECP for improvement in any of the following area:

1. Cardiac chest pain
2. Congestive heart failure
3. High blood pressure
4. Cardiomyopathy
5. Peripheral neuropathy, especially from diabetes
6. Stroke
7. Peripheral vascular disease
8. Impotence
9. Edema, or venous insufficiency
10. Chronic fatigue
11. Intestinal vascular insufficiency
12. Improvement of Athletic Performance

Patient Testimonials

We have treated several hundred patients using EECP, and have seen remarkable improvements in many of them. Patients who would not or could not consider angioplasty or bypass surgery, or had already failed these treatments, are able to improve using counterpulsation therapy.
If you are interested in EECP therapy for yourself a friend or family member, please make an appointment to receive a free trial treatment!

EECP has improved my kidney function and I now have no chest pain. I can now walk 1-2 miles with no problems where before I could not walk 1-2 blocks. I have cut my blood pressure medication by 240mg and my diabetic medication by 2.5 mg so far.

Dr. Sosin is an excellent practitioner and understands the heart, kidneys and diabetic medications. My blood pressure now runs 120/70 or 130/70 most of the time. My sugar level runs about 100-130. My legs feel much better than they have for years. The doctor's all natural supplements have helped me twice as good as prescription medications with no side effects. All the office personnel are great and the technicians are excellent. I am very happy with the results.
-D.C.

On the advice of Dr. Sosin, and the recommendation of Dr. Bello, I began EECP treatment on May 6, 2003. After a very few treatments I began to feel much better. I have more energy physically and mentally. I have now completed the 35 treatments recommended and I feel better now than I have felt in the last couple of years. My prescriptions have been dropped to five. I am a firm believer in EECP.
-R.H.

• This information is provided for educational purposes only. Never add, change, or discontinue medication or treatment without first consulting your doctor. To make an appointment with a doctor at the Institute for Progressive Medicine, please call 949-600-5100.