Current use of enhanced external counterpulsation and patient selection

Most patients who receive enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) have symptomatic coronary artery disease. These patients have either responded poorly to pharmacologic therapy or are poor candidates for revascularization procedures. Such patients receive a variety of consistent benefits from EECP treatment. As more is learned about EECP, patients once excluded from early clinical trials are now able to take advantage of EECP. Nevertheless, EECP is not suitable for some patients. It has a favorable adverse event profile for most patients undergoing the treatment. Medicare reimbursement coverage limitations remain an obstacle to having a broad cross-section of patients benefit from EECP.