Enhanced external counterpulsation for chronic angina pectoris.

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in developed and developing countries. Refractory stable angina pectoris is, in general, inadequately responsive to conventional medical therapy.Enhanced external counterpulsation is a non-invasive treatment for patients with refractory angina and involves the placing of compressible cuffs around the calves and lower and upper thighs. These are inflated sequentially so that during early diastole they help propel blood back to the heart and when deflated at end of diastole allow the blood vessels to return to their normal state. It is claimed that enhanced external counterpulsation can help reduce aortic impedance and thereby alleviate some of the symptoms of angina.