VIACARE ECP
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happens during an ECP treatment?
A. ECP treatment is a painless, comfortable and completely
noninvasive procedure. The ViaCare™ ECP equipment consists of a table, monitor and pressure cuffs
(similar to blood pressure cuffs). The patient lies on a padded mattress on the table, with the pressure
cuffs wrapped around the calves, thighs and buttocks. A clinician then applies three electrodes to the
chest to monitor heart rhythm. This lets the ECP device synchronize the pumping cycle of the cuffs with
the heartbeat.
The cuffs are first inflated when the heart is in a relaxed state (between heartbeats). The
inflation compresses the lower limbs of the body in order to increase blood flow toward the heart. When
the heart gets ready to pump again, the cuffs are instantly deflated. This lowers the resistance in the
blood vessels of the legs so that blood may be pumped more easily from the heart, decreasing the workload
required by the heart muscle.
A typical course of treatment requires 35 one-hour sessions. The hour-long sessions are
usually administered once daily, five days a week, for seven weeks. Many patients report feeling symptom
relief after as few as 10 treatment sessions.
For most patients, ECP is administered when they are no longer candidates for drugs or other
more invasive treatment therapies. Consult with a physician to find out if ECP therapy would be beneficial
for you.
Quick description of the procedure
The patient relaxes on a comfortably padded mattress while a trained nurse or therapist wraps
the muscular areas of the patient’s calves, thighs and buttocks with pneumatic cuffs, similar to
blood pressure cuffs. Hoses connect the cuffs to an air pressure/vacuum pump enclosed within the bed base.
Next to the bed is the computer-controlled operator’s console. Three ECG electrodes are placed on the
patient’s chest so the computer can monitor his or her heart rate. A sensor is placed on the
patient’s finger to detect each pulse wave.
The patient will not feel any pain during the procedure. He or she will feel the sensation of
a strong “hug” moving upward from the calves to the thighs to the buttocks. Each cycle is
electronically synchronized with individual heartbeats.
While the patient relaxes and talks to visitors, watches TV or a video, listens to music, or
even takes a nap, the operator starts the procedure and adjusts the machine during the hour-long procedure.
Q. What is the course of treatment?
A. A prescription for ECP treatment normally specifies a total
of 35 hours of therapy, administered for one hour per day, 5 days a week for 7 weeks. Although most
patients begin to experience relief from their angina symptoms after 3 or 4 weeks, some patients may
require additional weeks of treatment before the angina symptoms are resolved.
Because ECP is totally non-invasive and nonpharmacological, the risks associated with the
treatment are extremely low. The most commonly reported side effects are skin irritation or temporary muscle
aches, resulting from the inflating and deflating action of the pressure cuffs.
Q. Who does it work best for?
A. For many angina and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) sufferers,
ECP therapy may be a preferred alternative to bypass surgery, angioplasty, stenting or medication.
ECP may be indicated for patients who have already had, or are not good candidates for, surgical
intervention. It is often an ideal choice for stable angina patients with single or multiple vessel
coronary artery disease. In some cases, patients may be able to improve coronary circulation and perfusion
pressure before a scheduled bypass surgery.
The treatment is also useful for patients who do not tolerate or who prefer not to rely on medication.
ECP may be inadvisable for patients with certain conditions, including: recent surgical intervention,
uncontrolled arrhythmia, pacemaker, severe pulmonary disease, severe hypertension, aneurysms, pregnancy, or
the presence of a burn, open wound, or fracture on any limb subject to ECP treatment. A prescription from a
licensed physician is required for ECP treatment.
