Effects of enhanced external counter-pulsation therapy on QT dispersion in patients with heart failure

Background: Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) is a FDA approved noninvasive technique that reduces symptoms of certain heart related diseases in patients. It simulates exercise training condition for patients unable to intercept an actual training session. It also hypothetically affects ECG markers such as QT dispersion in the same way that exercise training does.   Present study is mainly focused on evaluating several ECG parameters including PR, QRS and QT interval before and after using EECP in CHF patients in order to ultimately investigate the impression of EECP on dropping the risk of developing arrhythmias. Method: Participants of this cross-sectional study was consist of 26 patients (21 men vs. 5 women) who had indication for EECP, fulfilled the entrance criteria, and were suffering from functional class II or III in NYHA classification and left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF) ≤ 35 %. Mean age of subjects was 56 ± 2.2 years.    All patients underwent at least 4 ECGs (weekly) and 4 weeks of EECP program. Changes in certain ECG parameters including QRS duration as well as PR and QT intervals were assessed during 4 weeks of using EECP technique for each individual. Baseline ECG was compared with 4th week ECG. Result: No statistically differences were found between mean QRS duration (P = 0.292), mean PR interval (P = 0.82), and mean QT dispersion (P = 0.89) before and after 4 weeks of EECP therapy. Conclusion: Based on this cross sectional study, 4 weeks of EECP did not have any significantly impact on ECG parameters. However, EECP might improve patient's functional capacity.