Not long ago, upon recommendation, she received external counterpulsation treatment at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, and her condition was improved.
Ms. Cui said, "I went to bed at around 10 pm that day and slept soundly through the night. Its amazing."
What is External Counterpulsation Treatment?
Shu Yue, the person in charge of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, introduced that external counterpulsation is a non-invasive extracorporeal circulation assistive treatment technology. Through periodic operations of applying synchronous pressurization to the lower limbs and buttocks during the diastolic phase of the patients heart and rapidly decompressing during the systolic phase, it improves the bodys blood circulation, especially increasing the blood perfusion of the coronary arteries.
The Medical Team Evaluating the Patients Treatment (Photo)
Shu Yue introduced that the prototype of external counterpulsation technology can be traced back to the 1950s. In 1953, an American surgeon first proposed the idea of using a mechanical device to change peripheral blood flow to assist the heart beating. In 1962, a team from Harvard University developed the first-generation counterpulsation device, but it was only used for intraoperative support due to technical limitations.
In the 1970s, a team led by Professor Zheng Zhensheng, a Chinese scholar, developed an enhanced external counterpulsation device with independent intellectual property rights at Sun Yat-sen University (formerly Zhongshan Medical University). By improving the air-bag timing control and pressure-regulating system, the treatment effect was significantly enhanced.
With the progress of computer control technology and biosensor technology, modern external counterpulsation technology has become very mature. According to statistics, more than 40 countries around the world have carried out this treatment, and the cumulative number of treated patients has exceeded 2 million.
What are the Unique Advantages of External Counterpulsation Treatment?
Shu Yue introduced that, different from traditional coronary artery bypass grafting or stent implantation, external counterpulsation treatment is completely carried out through external devices without the need for surgery or invasive operations, avoiding surgical risks and complications.
The treatment can simultaneously increase the blood perfusion of important organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. Clinical data shows that a single treatment can increase coronary blood flow by 30%-50% and cerebral blood flow by 20%-35%.
By enhancing its own blood flow dynamics instead of drug intervention, it can effectively promote the establishment of collateral circulation with a "biological bypass" effect. This vascular remodeling effect is particularly beneficial for patients with chronic ischemia.
At the same time, it has long-lasting treatment benefits. A standard treatment course (35 sessions per course) can produce subsequent treatment benefits lasting 6-12 months. Approximately 60% of patients experience relief from angina symptoms, and some cases can even reduce drug dependence.
Mr. Chen from Wanning, Hainan, saw a significant improvement in his heart function after receiving external counterpulsation treatment. Now, he regularly returns to Chengmei Hospital for treatment every month.
Which Groups of People Are Suitable for External Counterpulsation Treatment?
Shu Yue said that external counterpulsation treatment technology, as a "versatile" in the field of cardiovascular diseases, has currently been extended to multiple clinical fields. From the perspective of core indications, it is mainly suitable for patients with cardiovascular diseases.
For coronary heart disease patients with unsatisfactory drug control effects or surgical contraindications, external counterpulsation treatment can effectively improve symptoms.
In the rehabilitation treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction, when external counterpulsation treatment is introduced after the patients hemodynamics are stable, it can significantly improve the microcirculation of the infarcted area, reduce the risk of ventricular remodeling, and enhance the patients exercise tolerance.
In addition, external counterpulsation treatment can also be used to prevent ischemic heart failure. Relevant research has confirmed that by improving myocardial blood supply, the left ventricular ejection fraction of approximately 40% of patients can be increased by 5%-10%.
The extended indications of external counterpulsation treatment are also very extensive.
For patients with cerebrovascular diseases, this treatment can improve cerebral blood perfusion and has an adjuvant treatment effect on the recovery period of ischemic stroke and vascular dementia.
In diabetic microangiopathy, it can promote arterial blood flow and accelerate the healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
For patients with sudden deafness, by improving cochlear blood supply, the hearing of some patients can be increased by 15-30 decibels.
It also has certain treatment benefits in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction.
Shu Yue analyzed that with the development of artificial intelligence and wearable devices, the new-generation external intelligent counterpulsation system will achieve personalized pressure adjustment and remote treatment monitoring. By then, its application will be more convenient, precise, and extensive.
Expert Introduction
Text | Liangshan