Jul 16, 2002 2 min read

BROWNSVILLE – Brownsville General Hospital has announced a state of the art expansion in its cardiac diagnostic department. The hospital recently opened the first enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) program in the tri-county area. EECP is a non-invasive, painless outpatient therapy for the treatment of angina, the chest pain that often accompanies coronary artery disease. Also, EECP has been approved by the FDA to treat congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure is a condition in which blood backs up in the lungs due to an inefficient heart.

In the United States, at least 6.7 million people suffer with angina. Angina pectoris is usually characterized by agonizing chest pain, which for many people, can be brought on by exercise or emotional stress.

During the procedure, a series of cuffs, which inflate and deflate in sync with the patient’s heartbeat, is placed around the patient’s buttocks, thighs and calves. A recent clinical research report in the Journal of Clinical Cardiology, which was published in April 2001, confirms the long-term benefits of this Medicare-approved therapy.

Commenting on the new procedure, V. Yadagani, M.D., invasive cardiologist on staff at Brownsville General Hospital, said, “It should be noted that EECP has been very effective in patients who continue to experience chest pain despite prior angioplasty or bypass surgery.

“Patients who receive EECP therapy usually experience increased exercise tolerance and a decrease in, or total elimination of, chest pain,” Yadagani added. “In fact, many patients are able to return to normal or near normal activity after suffering years of debilitating chest pain.”

EECP provides an effective, non-surgical alternative to patients who have undergone or are unable to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty. The treatment improves blood flow to the heart, increases oxygen, relieves tightness in the chest and ultimately reduces or eliminates chest pain.

Tom Roman, R.N., cardiac rehab coordinator at Brownsville General Hospital, recommends that patients ask their family doctors and cardiologists about this therapy, which will potentially help them return to a better quality of life.

For more information, call BGH’s cardiac diagnostic department at 724-785-1838.