ThedaCare announced on April 1 that it is offering a new, non-invasive treatment called Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) to help patients with chronic chest pain or congestive heart failure.
EECP is designed to improve blood flow to the heart and reduce symptoms in patients who are not candidates for invasive procedures such as stents or bypass surgery. The therapy, available at ThedaCare since March, aims to provide relief for those experiencing debilitating symptoms of angina or heart failure.
Angina results from reduced blood flow to the heart and can cause discomfort in the chest, shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, abdomen, or back. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle cannot pump blood efficiently, often leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and shortness of breath.
Dr. Ameer Kabour, Cardiologist and Medical Director of ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care, said EECP could enhance quality of life for some patients. “Over a period of about seven weeks, patients undergo EECP treatments five days per week,” he said. “These treatments may help patients improve the blood flow to their heart, which may lead to reduced symptoms and an ability for patients to tolerate more physical activity. That can mean a noticeable and improved quality of life for some.”
Kabour also noted that EECP is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may decrease dependency on medications used to manage symptoms associated with these conditions.
The procedure involves a specialized bed with inflatable cuffs placed around a patient’s legs and buttocks. These cuffs inflate when the heart rests between beats and deflate during each heartbeat’s pumping phase. Over time, this process may encourage new blood vessels to form naturally around blocked arteries.
“With this treatment, we aim to provide non-invasive relief to address symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath for patients who are no longer eligible for more invasive procedures or additional medication interventions but are still experiencing very debilitating symptoms,” Kabour said. “This therapy is illustrative of our commitment to providing locally-based and easily accessible high-quality, comprehensive cardiac care to the people in northeast and central Wisconsin.”
Support from ThedaCare Foundation-Appleton enabled acquisition of this technology at ThedaCare facilities. Barbara Beuscher, Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at ThedaCare Family of Foundations said: “The Foundation is able to facilitate the purchase of innovative technologies and treatments such as EECP thanks to the generous and continued support of our donors. We are proud to support ThedaCare’s efforts to ensure that the people in our local communities have the ability to receive such technologically advanced health care services here when they need it.”