Findings to be Presented at American College of Cardiology 2021
Study Highlights:
- In an evaluation of 1382 patients, EECP significantly improves health status outcomes in patients with stable angina after 7-weeks of therapy.
- SAQ score improved by over 50% from baseline, with Rose Dyspnea Score and CCS angina class also improving.
- Further testing of EECP as a supplement to medical therapy should be considered to define its role as a non-invasive adjunctive therapy in angina management.
FORT WORTH, April 30, 2021 — New data showing improvements in “Health Status Outcomes with Enhanced External Counterpulsation in Patients with Angina” will be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 70th Annual Scientific Session and Expo, one of the premier meetings in the world for cardiology. The meeting will take place virtually May 15-17, 2021.
In lieu of traditional in-person presentations, the cardiology community reunites for a virtual ACC.21, where they invite attendees to reImagine Global Heart Health. ACC.21 will provide learners with an engaging virtual experience so that no matter where they are, participants can watch along as ACC shares abstracts and posters accepted electronically.
Stable angina affects more than 10 million individuals in the United States annually. Recently, the ISCHEMIA trial showed that invasive heart procedures, added to medications and lifestyle changes did not reduce the overall rate of heart attack or death compared with medicines and lifestyle changes alone.
EECP is a non-invasive treatment modality that increases the flow of blood to the heart. It is widely considered the most effective non-invasive treatment for heart conditions such as angina and symptoms associated with heart disease such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Using advanced counterpulsation technology timed to one’s heartbeat, EECP Flow Therapy treatments increase the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart by increasing the volume and velocity of blood through the body. In essence, it mimics physical exercise without straining the heart. This treatment results in creating new collateral blood vessels that improve circulation, reduce the severity of symptoms, and enable patients to regain their quality of life.
For this new study, researchers evaluated 1382 patients seen at Flow Therapy centers for chronic stable angina. The average age was 68 years, with 69% being male and 51% and 44% having a prior PCI or CABG procedure, respectively. The markers for the study included the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), Rose Dyspnea, and CCS angina class which are all standard validated markers for assessing patients with angina. Of note, SAQ is validated to evaluate ischemic burden and is independently associated with mortality.
The researchers evaluated SAQ, Rose Dyspnea and CCS angina class before and after 7-weeks of EECP therapy. After EECP, the SAQ Summary score increased significantly by greater than 50% (+26 points; p<0.001). These effects were seen in all sub-domains of the SAQ. The RDS decreased significantly from 3.0 to 1.4 (p<0.001), and average CCS Angina Class decreased significantly from 3.5 to 2.4 (p<0.001).
“The change in SAQ scores from this study are clinically relevant and warrant consideration of EECP as a potential adjunct to optimal medical therapy in stable angina patients,”
said Dr. Rikesh Patel, an interventional cardiologist who was not affiliated with the research study.
Authors included Mehak Aggarwal, PharmD., John A. Spertus, M.D., MPH, Robert Kaplan, Ph.D., and Sachin A. Shah, PharmD.
###
About Flow Therapy
Where once people fought heart disease until the end, we’re on a mission to take patients, families, and care teams to new beginnings. For over 15 years, Flow Therapy has been the nation’s leading provider of EECP® with clinics nationwide. Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP®), is a non-surgical treatment option that helps to increase the flow of blood to your heart. Through non-invasive Flow Therapy, proven scientific research in over 400 published research articles, and an unparalleled level of compassion and dedication to our patients, we’re leading alongside the best physicians in Cardiology to embrace a new approach to heart health. We’re here until the physical, mental, and emotional struggles of heart disease become a memory, and life continues to circulate again without limitation.
For more information, visit www.FlowTherapy.com today or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.
About University of the Pacific
Founded in 1851 as the first chartered institution of higher education in California, University of the Pacific prepares students for professional and personal success through rigorous academics, small classes, and a supportive and engaging culture. Widely recognized as one of the most beautiful private university campuses in the West, the Stockton Campus offers more than 80 areas of study in 11 schools and colleges. The university’s distinctive Northern California footprint also includes its San Francisco Campus, home to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and graduate programs in health and technology fields, and Sacramento Campus, home to the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and the School of Health Sciences as well as graduate programs in education and public policy. Pacific offers more than 30 graduate degrees and three first-professional programs, with a number of programs offering accelerated options for attaining a graduate or professional degree. For more information, visit Pacific.edu.
About The American College of Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions.
For Media Inquiries: Briana Wucinski, Director of Marketing for Flow Therapy, briana@flowtherapy.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” concerning our goals, beliefs, expectations, strategies, objectives, plans and underlying assumptions and other statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding EECP and our approach to treating heart disease by delivering Enhanced External Counterpulsation therapy. We undertake no obligation to update the information contained in this press release to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.
