Noninvasive treatment brings new hope for longtime heart patient
Allen Knopf didn't expect a miracle treatment for his chronic angina, but at age 71, he hoped there might be something that would help. His lengthy heart history already included a heart attack in his 50s, quintuple heart bypass surgery at age 58 and angioplasty several years later to open a blocked artery.
"I knew I was no longer a candidate for surgery and I was already on several medications, so I just kept taking more and more nitroglycerin to get relief from the chest pain. I made some trips to the emergency room too," says the retired farmer from Rochert, Minn. "It was to the point I didn't have the energy to do anything, not even walk to my car. At the rate I was going, I figured I'd be in a rest home within the year."
Getting weaker and losing hope, Allen came across a newsletter about lesser-known therapies for heart disease. "The mailer said if you live close to something called an 'EECP machine,' you should go and do it," he says. "I got right on the phone to find out more." As Allen learned, EECP is short for "enhanced external counter pulsation," a noninvasive treatment for people who have ongoing angina – chest pain occurring when there's not enough blood flow to the heart – but are not eligible for angioplasty or surgery. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration and proven successful in appropriate patients, EECP is not yet widely available in the United States.
"EECP was my lifesaver and I've told others about it. Without it, I'm not sure I'd be here anymore, and for sure I wouldn't be up and around like I am now."
Allen Knopf
"When I called MeritCare to talk to my cardiologist about how I could get EECP, I found out they would soon be offering it," says Allen. In August 2007, after receiving clearance from Dr. Craig Kouba, MeritCare boardcertified cardiologist, Allen became the first to use the new technology at MeritCare Heart Center.
How EECP works
During EECP, pressure cuffs (like large blood pressure cuffs) inflate and deflate around the patient's calves, thighs and buttocks. The cuffs squeeze the blood from the lower body toward the heart. This increases the amount of blood and oxygen going into the coronary arteries, thereby decreasing chest pain from angina. Throughout the treatment, a nurse closely monitors blood pressure and heart rhythm.
"It felt odd the first time and it's a little noisy, but you get used to it," says Allen. "There were two times when I even fell asleep during the treatment, but usually I tried to stay awake so I could visit with my nurse. He even laughed at some of my jokes." The treatment must be repeated several consecutive times for it to be effective. Studies have shown the best results come when treatment takes place one hour a day, five days a week, for seven weeks.
"It's a time commitment, but to me it was well worth it," says Allen, who traveled 70 miles one way to get his EECP treatments. The treatment's benefits can last for several months to two years, and it can be repeated as needed. Medicare and insurance carriers now cover the cost of treatment.
A noticeable difference
"As we progressed to the end of the seven weeks, I could really tell the difference," says Allen. "I realized I no longer needed the nitroglycerin patch, I wasn't using as many nitroglycerin pills, my chest pain decreased and I didn't even have angina attacks at night." The relief made a difference in his day-to-day activities, too. He again had the strength to walk from his house to his car, drive to town and play pinochle with friends.
"EECP is a great machine – comfortable, noninvasive and there's no recovery to speak of except maybe a little dizziness after getting up from an hour of treatment," says Allen. "EECP was my lifesaver and I've told others about it. Without it, I'm not sure I'd be here anymore, and for sure I wouldn't be up and around like I am now."
MeritCare's EECP equipment was made possible by contributions to MeritCare Foundation. "A heartfelt thanks to those who made this possible" says Allen. I just wish there were more of these machines so more people could be helped."
If you think EECP is right for you, call (701) 234-2371 or (800) 437-4010. To learn more about MeritCare Heart Center, visit heart.meritcare.com.
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