VASO Press Release:
EECP Provides Sustained Benefit for Treatment of Chronic Stable Angina
Business Wire - March 31, 1998 13:15
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 1998--
Noninvasive Outpatient Alternative Offers Continued Relief
From Chest Pain One Year After Initial Treatment
A report presented today at the American College of Cardiology's (ACC) 47th Annual Scientific Session confirms that EECP(R) has long-term benefit in the treatment of chronic angina. The data demonstrated that 70% of actively treated participants in a multicenter randomized, sham-controlled study (MUST-EECP), who responded to a survey, reported continued long-term clinical improvements up to one year after completing EECP(R) treatment.
"Clinical trial results indicate that EECP(R) is a practical and effective treatment option for angina, even for those patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo invasive procedures such as bypass surgery and balloon angioplasty," said Rohit Arora, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, N.Y. "The results of this study should encourage more physicians and patients to consider EECP(R) among the current treatment options for chronic stable angina."
Study Results and Protocol
According to the study, titled "Results of the Multicenter Study of Enhanced External Counterpulsation (MUST-EECP): Clinical Benefits Are Sustained at a Mean Follow-up Time of One Year," 80 of the 139 MUST-EECP patients responded to a survey by investigators via mail and telephone. The study results showed symptoms in the active counterpulsation group were improved significantly compared to the control group, although event rates in both the active and inactive groups were not significantly different.
MUST-EECP was designed as a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind clinical trial to ensure robust scientific outcomes. The study evaluated the effect of Enhanced External Counterpulsation on exercise duration, time to ST segment depression, number of anginal episodes and nitroglycerin use. In the initial results presented last November at the 70th Annual Scientific Session of the American Heart Association, EECP(R) was shown to be a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from chronic angina.
According to Dr. Arora, one of the principal investigators of MUST-EECP, "The results of these studies are important proof
that EECP(R) provides measurable clinical and lifestyle benefits for chronic stable angina and coronary artery disease patients.
In addition, EECP(R) can be a cost-effective treatment since it is significantly less expensive than both angioplasty and bypass
surgery."
Additional Study Shows EECP(R) Blood Flow Augmentation Comparable to Balloon Pump
A second important study presented at ACC demonstrated that the beneficial effects of EECP(R) as measured by increased internal mammary arterial blood flow were comparable to those produced by intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP). IABP is a highly invasive procedure used to maintain cardiac output and coronary artery blood flow until a more definitive therapy can be performed. This University of Pittsburgh study indicates that EECP(R), an entirely noninvasive procedure, can provide comparable clinical improvement in diastolic internal mammary artery blood flow without the risk associated with the invasive procedure.
EECP(R): A Non Invasive Option for 7 Million American Angina Sufferers
EECP(R) relies on basic hemodynamic principles to increase myocardial blood flow and relieve angina, a common symptom of coronary artery disease. Patients are treated on a padded table equipped with electronically controlled inflation and deflation valves connected to specially designed cuffs applied to the legs and buttocks.
As the heart enters its resting phase (diastole) and the heart chambers fill with blood, the cuffs are inflated sequentially and
rapidly from the calves toward the buttocks. Just before the heart contracts (systole) and pumps blood throughout the body, the cuffs are deflated instantaneously. This sequence of inflation and deflation causes the heart muscle to receive an increased supply of blood, while at the same time reducing its workload.
EECP(R) is well tolerated in most patients. Generally, treatment is comfortable: patients read, watch television, listen to music
and even sleep during a session. Occasionally, some do experience discomfort of the lower legs, but rarely is there a need to
discontinue treatment.
About Vasomedical
Vasomedical Inc. received marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the current version of EECP(R) in March 1995. Until the summer of the same year, EECP(R) was only available in the United States for patients participating in clinical studies. Today, EECP(R) is available in more than 40 treatment centers nationwide.
Vasomedical provides hospitals, clinics and private practices with equipment, EECP(R) treatment guidance and a staff training
and maintenance program to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Vasomedical Inc. (NASDAQ: VASO; www.vasomedical.com), located in Westbury, N.Y., is a healthcare company
dedicated to providing superior solutions in the management of cardiovascular disease through products and procedures that
make improved clinical and economic outcomes possible. |
