Say No to Bypass Surgery with EECP Treatment Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common form of Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD), also known as a Heart Blockage or Coronary blockage. Heart Disease has been the No. 1 killer globally for many years, that was the time when infectious diseases like the plague were scary but time has changed now. Today it is a lifestyle disease and over 84% of people in the world suffer from only lifestyle diseases. For almost a decade India has become the capital of heart attack and diabetes.   Bypass surgery was started in 1967 and Angioplasty in 1977, it was commonly understood that medical science had the solution to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and without a second thought these treatment methods were universally accepted as a standard treatment without clinical trials and the long-term effect of these surgeries, even today most of the doctors and patients think that if a graft is implanted around the blockages, then it is enough to prevent the risk of a future heart attack. But as time passes hospital infrastructure and medical services have improved a lot. Still, heart disease is increasing over a while. When clinical trials have been done, then it has been found that these bypass surgeries and stents have completely failed to decrease the risk of heart attack and death in the long run.

Since the evolution of the treatment of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), many non–invasive treatments have been developed, but they have been completely ignored to see their effectiveness in preventing Coronary Blockages and reducing the risk of future heart attacks. Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) is one such treatment that has been found to benefit patients better than surgery and reduce the risk of future heart attacks.

In this comprehensive blog, we’ll explore the advantages of EECP therapy, its role as a natural bypass treatment, and why it is a powerful non–surgical viable option of Bypass Surgery.

Say No to Bypass Surgery with EECP Treatment:

What is EECP Treatment?

Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a USA – FDA-approved non-invasive therapy that uses external pressure cuffs placed on cuffs, thigs and buttocks of the body to improve blood flow to the heart muscles. This treatment is designed to enhance coronary circulation and blood perfusion to improve the blood supply to the heart muscles. This is how EECP help to reduce and eliminate the symptoms of chest pain (angina), a common symptom due to blocked coronary arteries.

Uniqueness of EECP Therapy:

1. Non-Invasive: No surgery or Invasion is involved in this treatment and the patient is enjoying it and relaxing during the therapy.
2. Outpatient Procedure: Treatment can be done in a clinic by giving one hour in a day.
3. Time Commitment: A standard course involves 35 – 40 one-hour sessions spread over seven to eight weeks.
4. Clinically Proven and Globally Accepted: EECP has been validated by numerous clinical trials and approved by the USA – FDA, NHS – UK, ACC, CMA, and EMA for treating chronic stable angina and heart failure.

EECP is eventually improving blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscles and other vital organs, EECP offers an alternative sustainable solution to relieve the symptoms of CAD without the need for surgical intervention.

Benefits of EECP Treatment Over Bypass Surgery and How to Say No to Bypass Surgery with EECP Treatment

Here’s a detailed comparison of EECP therapy with bypass surgery,

Why EECP Treatment is Known as a Natural Bypass Therapy

EECP is often referred to as a “Natural Bypass” because it promotes the formation of collateral arteries—small, naturally grown arteries around the blockages and damaged heart muscles. This is how EECP Therapy is helping to create thousands of new arteries around the blockages. Unlike surgical procedures that bypass grafts only specific blockages are treated and it cannot improve the microcirculation. EECP Therapy stimulates the body’s natural ability to reroute blood flow through Natural Bypass or Newly Grown Arteries.

Key Reasons Why EECP Therapy Works as a Natural Bypass Therapy:

1. Angiogenesis: EECP Therapy helps to growth of new blood vessels through the process known as angiogenesis.
2. Improved Blood Flow: Newly grown arteries help to increase the oxygen delivery to ischemic areas of the heart.
3. Non-Surgical Solution: Avoids the risks and complications associated with invasive procedures like Angioplasty and Bypass Surgery.
4. Long-Term Benefits: Collateral artery development provides sustained relief from angina and improves heart function for over 5 years.

How EECP Therapy is Helping to Grow New Arteries

One of the most remarkable aspects of EECP therapy is its ability in the growth of collateral circulation, which is a network of small blood vessels that act as natural bypasses.

The Science Behind Collateral Growth:

• Mechanical Stimulation: The rhythmic inflation and deflation of cuffs due to counter pulsation create a wave-like pressure during the diastole of the heart that pushes blood into smaller vessels and promotes the dilation of existing blood vessels, commonly known as Arteriogenesis.
• Endothelial Activation: Due to the mechanism of EECP Therapy it enhances the release of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), which stimulate the growth of new arteries.
• Oxygenation: Due to the creation of new blood vessels and vasodilation of existing blood vessels the blood supply is increased and this supplies extra oxygen and nutrition to ischemic areas, facilitating tissue repair and vessel growth.

Patients undergoing EECP start experiencing benefits within a week even sometimes from day one from the symptoms of chest pain and breathlessness, indicating the effectiveness of this natural bypass mechanism.

EECP Treatment Procedure

The EECP procedure is quite simple and patient-friendly. Here’s how it works:

1. Preparation:
   • The patient lies down on a comfortable treatment table in a relaxed mode.
   • Pneumatic cuffs are placed around the calf muscles, thigh and buttock area of the body.
2. Procedure:
   • The cuffs inflate sequentially during diastole (heart relaxation phase) to push blood toward the heart. Due to this, venous return to the right atrium is increased, and due to the counterpulsation, the blood perfusion is increased in the myocardium.
   • They deflate just before systole (heart contraction phase) to reduce vascular resistance and improve cardiac output.
3. Duration:
   • Each session lasts about 30 – 60 minutes, depending upon the patient’s tolerance.
   • Most patients undergo 35 – 45 sessions, typically over seven to eight weeks.
4. Monitoring:
   • The process is supervised by EECP-trained professionals who adjust the settings for patient comfort and effectiveness.

The Hemodynamic Effect of EECP Treatment

The hemodynamic effect is the process of how EECP therapy is actually improving the blood flow the muscles. It explains the dynamics of blood flow to the myocardium and other vital organs of the body.

How EECP Increases Blood Supply:

1. Enhanced Venous Return: Due to the mechanical movement of synchronized cuffs inflation and deflation, the amount of blood which is stuck in the muscles is reversed back to the right atrium via the inferior Ven cava. The vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart. This is possible because of the synchronized cuff inflation that pushes blood back toward the heart muscles. This increased venous return causes increasing preload.
2. Increased Coronary Perfusion: Like venous arteries, the arteries are also compressed during the diastole cycle of the heart. This compression causes increased perfusion pressure in the myocardium because the aortic valve is closed during diastole. Due to the mechanism of counterpulsation and during the diastole aortic valve is closed and blood cannot enter the left ventricle. The coronary arteries start from the aorta and this pressure is transferred to the coronary arteries and this is how the blood perfusion is increased in the myocardium. EECP is working as a second heart to the heart.
3. Decreased Afterload: During the beginning of the systolic cycle the cuff deflation starts which reduces the resistance that the heart can pump the blood to the vascular system.
4. The Overall Impact on Blood Flow: Due to Increased venous return and coronary perfusion the heart muscles get extra blood and due to the combined effect the overall cardiac output is increased. This mechanism reduces the workload on the heart. The increased cardiac output helps other vital organs to receive extra blood which is roughly 20% – 25% more compared to normal supply.

Who are the Best Candidates for EECP (Natural Bypass)?

EECP is a powerful revascularization treatment without surgery and risk and most heart patients can avail of this treatment without second thought.

• Patient With Failed Angioplasty or Bypass Surgery.
•  Patients with Microvascular Angina.
• Patient with Chest Pain.
• Patients on High Medication.
• Patients with Multiple comorbidities.
• Patients with a higher risk of surgery.
• Patients with Heart Function Below 50%.
• Patients who are not fit for surgery.
• Patients with Hypertension / Diabetes Erectile Dysfunction or Kidney Failure Issues.
• Patients with Poor Quality of Life.
• Healthy Individual for Poor Exercise Tolerance.
• Patients with Brain Stroke.
• Cardiac Rehabilitation.
• Preventive Treatment for Heart Attack.

Who Should Not Go for EECP Treatment?

While EECP is safe, but it is not suitable for everyone. Patients who should avoid EECP include:

• Severe Peripheral Artery Disease: May interfere with cuff inflation.
• Uncontrolled Hypertension: High blood pressure must be stabilized before treatment.
• Aortic Aneurysm: Risk of rupture during treatment.
• Aortic Regurgitation / Stenosis.
• Certain Severe Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients.
• Right Side heart failure
• Patients Pulmonary Hypertension
• Pregnancy: Not recommended for pregnant women.

How EECP Therapy is a Great Non-Surgical Alternative to Bypass Surgery

EECP therapy is a revolutionary treatment, that has gained a lot of popularity among patients with no option. Over some time, this treatment has gained a lot of popularity because of its uniqueness of being completely non–invasive and risk-free in nature. This treatment has been proven to be much better compared to the surgical treatment option in many clinical trials in terms of effectiveness and long-term effects. Apart from the safety it is too pocket friendly and does not require hospitalization. Heart failure is another progressive condition among heart patients and when heart pumping is going below 30% – 35% surgery can be the worst option for the majority of heart patients because a stent can further damage the heart and EECP is only the Clinically proven treatment in the world which can increase the heart pumping function.

What is the Risk of EECP Therapy?

Usually, EECP is considered a safe treatment procedure, but there can be some acute minor side effects including:

• Mild bruising from the cuffs.
• Temporary fatigue for some time after sessions.
• Few Patients may experience slight discomfort during the first or second session.

These risks are acute and minimal compared to the complications associated with bypass surgery and stent.

Top 10 FAQ on EECP as a Non-Invasive Alternative to Bypass Surgery

1. Is EECP painful?

   No, it is a completely painless procedure and patients feel relaxed and most of the time patient sleep during the session. During the EECP it feels like someone is doing message to the legs.

2. How long does EECP therapy take?

   A standard course of EECP therapy includes 35 – 40 sessions, and for some special cases like DCMP, Kidney Failure it can be up to 60 – 70 Sessions. Usually, 5 to 14 sessions can be given to a stable patient in a week, depending upon how we are giving EECP, either 1 session or 2 sessions in a day. So overall it takes 4 to 10 weeks’ time depending upon the patient’s problem and how the treatment is given.

3. Who can benefit from EECP?

   Patients with stable angina, CAD, heart failure, Brain Stroke, Heart Attack Patients, Patients with Poor Quality of Life and Patients with Other Circulatory disorders.

4. Is EECP safe for elderly patients?

   Yes, it is especially suitable for high-risk patients.

5. Does EECP cure heart disease?

   EECP manages symptoms by developing new arteries commonly known as collateral arteries and improving heart pumping function but It does not address the root cause. Heart disease is a lifestyle disorder and one needs to work into the lifestyle to reverse and stop the progression of heart disease, there is no shortcut.

6. Are there any dietary restrictions during EECP?

   A heart-healthy diet is recommended for better results. A diet with low processed food, food-rich in healthy fat (Omega 3 Fatty Acid), high fibre with time-restricted eating habit can multifold the result of EECP Therapy.

7. Can EECP replace medication?

   EECP may reduce dependency on medications but should be discussed with a doctor.

8. What are the long-term benefits of EECP?

   EEP Improves quality of life, reduces chest pain (angina), Improve Heart Pumping Function, Increase Exercise Tolerance, Reduces Insulin Resistance. and enhances heart function.

9. Is EECP covered by insurance?

   In the USA it is covered by Medicare, the world’s biggest insurance company, In India, there is a lot of controversy with this treatment but in special conditions, insurance companies pay with a lot of affords but when a patient EECP as a first line of treatment, insurance companies usually reject such claims.

Also Read: 

Why EECP is Called the Natural Bypass for Heart Disease:

Why EECP is Called the Natural Bypass for Heart Disease?

How do I find the Best EECP Centre for Natural Bypass Treatment?

NexIn Health in India is an Emerging Integrated EECP centre having over 30 Branches globally, You can consult with the team of NexIn @ +91 9310145010 or by sending your reports to care@nexinhealth.in. The online consultation through WhatsApp and email is complexly free.

Why is it Important to Take a Second Opinion on EECP Therapy?

Patients often rush into bypass surgery without exploring non-invasive options like EECP. A second opinion allows for a more informed decision and can prevent unnecessary surgical risks.

How NexIn Health Can Help You Take a Second Opinion

NexIn Health is India’s leading platform for second opinions on heart treatments, including EECP therapy. With a team of experienced cardiologists, EECP practitioners, and healthcare experts, NexIn Health helps patients make informed choices.

Why Choose NexIn Health?

• Access to top EECP specialists.
• Comprehensive assessment and guidance.
• Customized treatment plans.
• Support for finding certified EECP centres.

EECP is transforming heart care by offering a safe, non-surgical alternative to bypass surgery. By opting for EECP therapy, patients can improve their heart health without the risks and recovery time associated with invasive procedures. If you’re considering bypass surgery, take a step back and explore EECP—it might be the life-changing solution you’ve been seeking.