MUST-EECP
1999
Multicenter Study of Enhanced External Counterpulsation
Journal of the American College of Cardiology · Arora et al.
The first major randomized, sham-controlled trial. 139 patients with stable angina across 7 centers. Demonstrated significant reduction in angina episodes and nitroglycerin use, plus improved exercise duration vs. sham treatment.
Key finding
Significant improvement on exercise treadmill test in patients receiving active EECP compared to sham/placebo.
IEPR
1998–2004
International EECP Patient Registry
University of Pittsburgh · ~8,000 patients across 200+ sites
The largest real-world EECP dataset. Tracked outcomes across multiple cohorts, confirming durable angina relief, improved quality of life, and reduced hospitalizations at 1, 2, and 3-year follow-ups.
Key finding
74% of patients sustained symptom improvement at 3 years.
PEECH
2006
Prospective Evaluation of EECP in Congestive Heart Failure
Journal of the American College of Cardiology · Feldman et al.
187 patients with NYHA Class II–III heart failure. Compared EECP plus optimal medical therapy vs. optimal medical therapy alone. Demonstrated improved exercise capacity and quality of life.
Key finding
+25 seconds exercise time, +13% NYHA class improvement.
Cost Effectiveness
2015
Cost-Effectiveness of EECP in Refractory Angina
Lawson et al.
Compared healthcare utilization before and after EECP in patients with refractory angina. Found a significant reduction in hospitalizations over the course of 1 year following therapy.
Key finding
$853M in potential US healthcare savings annually.