Enhanced external counterpulsation effectiveness on clinical parameters in diabetic and non-diabetic coronary heart disease patients

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the effectiveness of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) treatment on clinical profile comprising physiological, biochemical, and clinical symptoms of diabetic and non-diabetic coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Methods: A pretest–posttest designed prospective study with 163 diabetic and non-diabetic CHD patients enrolled in Science and Art of Living Heart Center (SAAOL), New Delhi, India. Angina severity was assessed using Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina classification scale and dyspnea status was assessed using medical research council (MRC) scale. The study subjects were followed up for 12 months. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS v21 software. Descriptive analysis with sample t-test for two independent groups and paired sample t-test for EECP effectiveness within the group was done. Results: A minute difference in body mass index mean (30.1±5.86–29.9±5.62 vs. 27.5±4.17–27.16±3.88) was observed in diabetic and non-diabetic CHD patients, but that was not statistically significant. A significant drop out in blood sugar fasting (166.7±41.9–150.1±23.7), blood sugar postprandial (204.7±64.4–173.2±41.2), and glycosylated hemoglobin (7.9±0.8 to 7.5±0.6) was also observed in diabetic CHD patients from baseline to 12th month after completion of EECP treatment with significant p<0.001, that may be due to EECP treatment. CCS angina classification score and MRC dyspnea score also significantly improved after EECP treatment. Conclusion: EECP treatment may improve clinical symptoms of CHD and lower the blood glucose level in diabetic CHD patients. This treatment may be effective for CHD patients with diabetes mellitus.