Acute Beneficial Effects of Muscular Counterpulsation in Patients with Coronary Heart Diseases.

This prospective pilot study was designed to investigate the acute hemodynamic effects and clinical applicability of muscular counterpulsation (MCP), a one-shot procedure for biomechanical circulatory support. The study included 17 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and impaired ejection fraction (EF ≤45%) who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Patients were divided into control (  = 7) and treatment (  = 10) groups.

Therapeutic value of muscular counterpulsation after coronary bypass grafting operation.

Objective: Coronary artery bypass grafting continues to be the operation of choice in patients with severe multiple coronary artery disease. However, there are several unresolved issues such as treatment of postoperative heart failure following bypass surgery. There is worldwide interest in evaluating new treatment methods for this condition.