Effectiveness of Enhanced External Counterpulsation Treatment on Symptom Burden, Medication Profile, Physical Capacity, Cardiac Anxiety, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Refractory Angina Pectoris

Background Patients with refractory angina pectoris experience recurrent symptoms that limit their functional capacity, including psychological distress and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), despite optimized medical therapy. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is an evidence-based alternative noninvasive treatment. Although physical well-being and mental well-being are equally important components of health, few studies have investigated the psychological effects of EECP in patients with refractory angina pectoris. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of EECP treatment in patients with refractory angina pectoris regarding medication profile, physical capacity, cardiac anxiety, and HRQoL. Methods This quasi-experimental study with 1-group pretest-posttest design includes a 6-month follow-up of 50 patients (men, n = 37; mean age, 65.8 years) who had undergone 1 EECP course. The following pretreatment and posttreatment data were collected: medication use, 6-minute walk test results, functional class according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and self-reported (ie, questionnaire data) cardiac anxiety and HRQoL. In addition, the questionnaires were also completed at a 6-month follow-up. Results After EECP treatment, patients used significantly less nitrates (P
Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing - Category: Nursing Tags: Sleep and Cardiovascular Disease Source Type: research