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A new, innovative, non-surgical cardiac procedure is now being offered at Trinitas Hospital for patients who suffer from coronary artery disease, angina or congestive heart failure. EECP – Enhanced External Counterpulsation has been clinically proven in medical studies to be an effective complement to bypass surgery, stents or angioplasty without any of the risks or recovery time associated with surgery.

ELIZABETH, NJ (PRWEB) July 18, 2004 -- A new, innovative, non-surgical cardiac procedure is now being offered at Trinitas Hospital for patients who suffer from coronary artery disease, angina or congestive heart failure. EECP – Enhanced External Counterpulsation has been clinically proven in medical studies to be an effective complement to bypass surgery, stents or angioplasty without any of the risks or recovery time associated with surgery.

Enhanced External Counterpulsation opens or forms small blood vessels, thereby creating natural bypasses around narrowed or blocked arteries and improving the flow of healthy, oxygenated blood to the heart. These new blood vessels help reduce or eliminate angina, increase energy and stamina and return patients to activities they thought they had given up forever.

“Many patients assume that their cardiac symptoms, including chest pain, pressure or lack of energy, are irreversible,� says Arthur Millman, MD, Chief of Cardiovascular Disease at Trinitas. “But studies show that the EECP procedure can significantly improve or completely eliminate symptoms, and greatly increase stamina, exercise tolerance and quality of life. It can also reduce or eliminate the use of nitroglycerin and other medications.�

The FDA-approved procedure is a relatively simple treatment. Patients lie comfortably on a special bed while several blood pressure cuffs are wrapped around their legs. These cuffs inflate and deflate in sync with the patient’s heart beat, pumping healthy blood throughout the body and pushing oxygen-rich blood toward the heart. Patients undergo a one-hour treatment every day for seven weeks, and are able to read, listen to music or sleep during the procedure.

Many people with coronary artery disease, angina or congestive heart failure can benefit from EECP. It is particularly well-suited to people who have already had angioplasty, stents or bypass surgery and are experiencing a return of their heart disease symptoms and are no longer candidates for operations, repeat angioplasty or stents. It is also ideal for patients who are not candidates for surgery due to other conditions, as well as diabetics and women with small blood vessels.
In addition to EECP, Trinitas Hospital offers the region’s most comprehensive cardiac services, including a full-service cardiac facility as well as facilities for the intensive nursing care of patients with cardiac disease. These include an emergency angioplasty program, cardiac care unit, intermediate coronary care unit, cardiac catheterization lab, superior non-invasive cardiology service, full service emergency department and cardiac rehabilitation services. These facilities are all staffed by the area’s largest team of board-certified cardiologists, an experienced cardiovascular nursing staff, and specially-trained cardiac technicians.

About Trinitas Hospital
Trinitas Hospital is a full service healthcare facility and a Catholic teaching hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, serving those who live and work in Eastern and Central Union County. It is the result of the merger of Elizabeth General Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital in 2000. Operating on two major campuses, Trinitas Hospital offers 531 beds, including a 120-bed long-term care center. Trinitas Hospital provides comprehensive medical/surgical services, emergency services, senior services, adult and child/adolescent psychiatric care, cardiac care, cancer services, renal services, an infectious disease program, maternal/child health services including a high-risk newborn nursery, inpatient pediatric care, diabetes management center, wound healing center, sleep disorders center and a bloodless medicine program.