Enhanced external counterpulsation in patients with heart failure: a multicenter feasibility study.

To assess the feasibility of using enhanced external counterpulsation to treat patients with heart failure, 26 patients with stable heart failure (New York Heart Association classes II-III), with a left ventricular ejection fraction at or below 35%, and without fluid overload, were treated with enhanced external counterpulsation (1 hour daily, 5 days a week, to a total of 35 hours). Patients were followed for 6 months after completing the course of enhanced external counterpulsation. The primary parameter was safety as reflected by adverse events or by changes in laboratory parameters. Secondary end points included changes in exercise capacity and quality of life. There were no clinically significant problems associated with the administration of enhanced external counterpulsation. Significant improvements were seen in exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake and exercise duration), and in quality of life assessments, at 1 week and 6 months after the course of enhanced external counterpulsation. This study suggests that enhanced external counterpulsation is safe and well tolerated in patients with stable heart failure, and that a randomized, controlled study of enhanced external counterpulsation in these patients is warranted.