AIMS: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive treatment (35 one-hour sessions) for patients with refractory angina pectoris (RAP). To avoid interruption of treatment, more knowledge is needed about potential adverse events (AE) of EECP and their appropriate management. To describe occurrence of AE and clinical actions related to EECP treatment in patients with RAP and compare the distribution of AE between responders and non-responders to treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing medical records of 119 patients with RAP who had undergone one EECP treatment and a 6-min-walk test pre- and post-treatment. Sociodemographic, medical, and clinical data related to EECP were collected from patients' medical records. An increased walking distance by 10% post-treatment, measured by 6-min-walk test, was considered a responder. The treatment completion rate was high, and the occurrence of AE was low. Adverse events occurred more often in the beginning and gradually decreased towards the end of EECP treatment. The AE were either device related (e.g. muscle pain/soreness) or non-device related (e.g. bradycardia). Medical (e.g. medication adjustments) and/or nursing (e.g. extra padding around the calves, wound dressing) actions were used. The AE distribution did not differ between responders (n = 49, 41.2%) and non-responders. Skin lesion/blister occurred mostly in responders and paraesthesia occurred mostly in non-responders.

CONCLUSION: Enhanced external counterpulsation appears to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment option in patients with RAP. However, nurses should be attentive and flexible to meet their patients' needs to prevent AE and early termination of treatment.

Background: Patients with refractory angina pectoris (RAP) suffer from debilitating symptoms with considerable limitation of functional capacity and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) despite optimised medical therapy. In addition, frequent angina symptoms are strongly associated with psychological distress. The challenging management of RAP and the severe limitations and symptomatology experienced by these patients underscore the need for further research in more novel treatment approaches. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a potential non-invasive treatment that can decrease limiting symptoms in patients with RAP and is generally given as 35 one-hour sessions (i.e., one course) over seven weeks.

Aim: The overall aim was to obtain a deeper understanding of patients’ experiences undergoing EECP treatment and to evaluate the effects of the treatment with focus on physical capacity, HRQoL and safety.

Methods: An explorative and interventional study comprising both qualitative (paper I) and quantitative (papers II, III, and IV) study designs were performed. In paper I, semi-structured interviews took place with 15 strategically selected patients who had finished an EECP course at the two existing EECP clinics in Sweden. Data were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. In paper II, a quasi-experimental study with one-group pre-test/post-test design with a six-month follow-up was performed with 50 patients who had undergone one EECP course. The following pre- and post-treatment data were collected: medication use, six-minute walk test (6MWT), functional class according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS), self-reported (i.e., questionnaire data) cardiac anxiety, and HRQoL. The questionnaires were also completed at a six-month follow-up. In paper III and IV, sociodemographic, medical, and clinical data related to EECP were collected by reviewing medical records of 119 patients with RAP who had undergone one EECP course and a 6MWT pre- and post-treatment. An increased walking distance by 10% post treatment, measured with 6MWT, was considered an adequate treatment response.

Results: In paper I, the findings were divided into four content areas, each comprising three categories: (1) experiences before EECP was initiated comprised of uncharted territory, be given a new opportunity and gain insight; (2) experiences during EECP sessions comprised physical discomfort, need of distraction, and sense of security; (3) experiences between EECP sessions comprised physical changes, socializing, and coordinating everyday life; and (4) experiences after one course of EECP treatment comprised improved physical well-being, improved mental well-being and maintaining angina in check. In paper II, patients used significantly less short-acting nitrates (p <. 001), walking distance increased on average by 46 m (p < .001), and CCS class improved after one EECP course (p < .001). In addition, all but one subscale of cardiac anxiety and all HRQoL components improved significantly, and the positive effects were maintained at the six-month follow-up (p < .05). In paper III, 49 (41.2%) of the 119 patients, were responders to EECP. CCS class ≥ 3, left ventricle ejection fraction < 50%, and previous revascularisation (i.e., ≤ one type of intervention) were predictors of response (p < .05). In paper IV, the treatment completion rate was high, and the occurrence of adverse events (AE) was low. Most device-related AE required nursing actions, while medical actions were needed more in the non-device-related AE. The AE distribution did not differ between responders and non-responders. Skin lesion/blister occurred mostly in responders and paraesthesia occurred mostly in non-responders.

Conclusions: The EECP treatment was perceived as an unknown option among these patients but also as be given a new opportunity to get better. The presence and care provided by the cardiac nurse contributed to a sense of security during treatment. The treatment resulted in reduced symptom burden, improved physical capacity and HRQoL, and less cardiac anxiety, leading to increased physical activity and enhanced life satisfaction for patients with RAP. Moreover, the EECP should be considered preferentially for patients who have a greater functional impairment, evidence of systolic left ventricular dysfunction, and exposure to fewer types of revascularisation. The EECP treatment appears to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment option in patients with RAP.

Background: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive treatment that can decrease limiting symptoms in patients with refractory angina pectoris (RAP). Identifying responders to EECP is important as EECP is not widely available and relatively time intensive. Hypothesis: The effect of EECP treatment on physical capacity in patients with RAP can be predicted from baseline patient characteristics and clinical factors. Methods: This explorative study includes all patients from a cardiology clinic who had finished one EECP treatment and a 6 min walk test pre and post EECP. Clinical data, including Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) classification and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), were assessed before treatment. If patients increased their 6 min walking distance (6MWD) by 10% post EECP, they were considered responders. Results: Of the 119 patients (men = 97, 40–91 years), 49 (41.2%) were responders. Multinomial regression analysis showed that functional status (i.e., CCS class ≥3) (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.12–8.57), LVEF <50% (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.02–7.80), and prior performed revascularization (i.e., ≤ 1 type of intervention) (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.06–7.20) were predictors of response to EECP (p <.05, Accuracy 63.6%). Traditional risk factors (e.g., gender, smoking, and comorbidities) did not predict response. Conclusions: EECP treatment should be considered preferentially for patients that have a greater functional impairment, evidence of systolic left ventricular dysfunction, and exposure to fewer types of revascularization, either PCI or CABG. Improvement in 6MWD post EECP could imply improvement in physical capacity, which is a likely contributor to improved well-being among patients with RAP.

BACKGROUND: Patients with refractory angina pectoris experience recurrent symptoms that limit their functional capacity, including psychological distress and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), despite optimized medical therapy. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is an evidence-based alternative noninvasive treatment. Although physical well-being and mental well-being are equally important components of health, few studies have investigated the psychological effects of EECP in patients with refractory angina pectoris.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of EECP treatment in patients with refractory angina pectoris regarding medication profile, physical capacity, cardiac anxiety, and HRQoL.

METHODS: This quasi-experimental study with 1-group pretest-posttest design includes a 6-month follow-up of 50 patients (men, n = 37; mean age, 65.8 years) who had undergone 1 EECP course. The following pretreatment and posttreatment data were collected: medication use, 6-minute walk test results, functional class according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and self-reported (ie, questionnaire data) cardiac anxiety and HRQoL. In addition, the questionnaires were also completed at a 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS: After EECP treatment, patients used significantly less nitrates (P < .001), walking distance increased on average by 46 m (P < .001), and Canadian Cardiovascular Society class improved (P < .001). In addition, all but 1 subscale of cardiac anxiety and all HRQoL components improved significantly (P < .05). The positive effects for cardiac anxiety and HRQoL were maintained at the 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced external counterpulsation treatment resulted in reduced symptom burden, improved physical capacity, and less cardiac anxiety, leading to increased physical activity and enhanced life satisfaction for patients with refractory angina pectoris. Enhanced external counterpulsation treatment should be considered to improve the life situation for these patients.

Background: Refractory angina pectoris (AP) is a persistent, painful condition characterized by angina caused by coronary insufficiency in the presence of coronary artery disease. It has been emphasized that there are possible underlying neuropathophysiological mechanisms for refractory AP but chronic ischemia is still considered to be the main problem. These patients suffer from severe AP and cannot be controlled by a combination of pharmacological therapies, angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery. AP has a negative impact on quality of life and daily life. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a therapeutic option for these patients.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate EECP after six months regarding physical capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with refractory AP.

Methods: This was a study with single case research experimental design involving 34 patients treated with EECP. Six minute walk test (6MWT), functional class with Canadian Cardiological Society (CCS) classification and self-reported HRQoL questionnaires as Short Form 36 (SF-36) were collected at baseline and after treatment. CCS class and SF-36 were repeated at six months follow-up.

Results: Patients enhanced walk distance on average by 29 m after EECP (p<0.01). CCS class also improved (p<0.001) and persisted at six months follow-up (p<0.001). HRQoL improved significantly and the effects were maintained at follow-up after the treatment.

Conclusion: Patients with refractory AP receive beneficial effects from EECP both in physical capacity and HRQoL. As other treatment options for this patient group are scarce, EECP should be offered to improve physical health and HRQoL in these patients.