1. Preparation:
   • The patient lies down on a comfortable treatment table or bed.
   • Electrodes are placed on the patient’s chest to monitor heart activity (electrocardiogram, or ECG). This is essential for coordinating the therapy with the heartbeat.
2. Cuff Placement:
   • Special inflatable cuffs are placed around the patient’s calves, thighs, and buttocks. These cuffs are designed to fit snugly and cover the lower body, including the legs.
   • The cuffs are connected to a machine that inflates and deflates in sync with the patient’s heartbeat.
3. Start of Treatment:
   • During treatment, the cuffs inflate sequentially, starting from the lower limbs and moving upward toward the abdomen. This action creates a pressure wave that helps to increase blood flow.
   • The cuffs deflate just before the heart contracts (systole) and inflate again during the heart’s relaxation phase (diastole). This synchronized inflation and deflation enhance blood flow to the coronary arteries.
4. Circulation Enhancement:
   • The inflation of the cuffs during diastole helps to increase the volume of blood returning to the heart, thereby improving oxygen supply to the heart muscles.
   • Over time, the treatment encourages the growth of new blood vessels (collateral circulation) around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.
5. Duration and Frequency:
   • ECP therapy sessions typically last about 1 hour, and a full course of treatment usually involves 35 sessions over several weeks.
   • Patients may receive therapy 5 times a week, but the exact schedule depends on the patient’s condition and the doctor’s recommendation.
6. Post-Treatment:
   • After a session, the patient can usually resume normal activities immediately, as there are no incisions or invasions involved.

Benefits:

ECP therapy may improve blood flow to the heart, decrease angina (chestpain), enhance exercise tolerance, and reduce the symptoms of heart failure.

• It is often used when other treatments (like medication or surgery) are not effective or suitable.

Side Effects:

• Side effects are typically mild and may include temporary bruising, soreness, or swelling from the cuff pressure.
• Some patients might feel discomfort from the pressure, but it is usually well tolerated.

ECP therapy is a safe, non-invasive option for many patients with cardiovascular conditions, offering an alternative when surgery or other treatments may not be an option.