Key result
Enhanced external counterpulsation prolongs exercise duration in ~40% more HF patients without improving peak VO2.
Why the study?
Enhanced external counterpulsation had shown benefits in angina and a small pilot study suggested benefits in heart failure, but its effects in mild-to-moderate heart failure patients required evaluation.
Population
187 subjects with mild-to-moderate heart failure
Comparison
Enhanced external counterpulsation plus pharmacologic therapy vs pharmacologic therapy alone
Design
Randomized, single-blinded study
Follow-up
6 months
Authors
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Clinical evaluation demonstrates improved exercise capacity in chronic heart failure patients undergoing enhanced external counterpulsation, indicating potential benefits for functional recovery.
RCT (n=187)
Single-blind
randomized
Absolute Event Rate: 35% vs 25%
p-value: p=0.016
Feldman et al. (2006) conducted an RCT in mild-to-moderate heart failure (n=187). Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) vs. Pharmacologic therapy alone was evaluated on Percentage of subjects with a ≥60 s increase in exercise duration at 6 months (p=0.016). Enhanced external counterpulsation increased exercise duration by ≥60 seconds in 35% of heart failure patients versus 25% with pharmacologic therapy alone (p=0.016), without improving peak VO2.
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