Protective Effect of EECP Against Negative Inflammatory Response and Organ Dysfunction After Cardiovascular Surgery

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive, non-pharmacologic intervention proven to increase nitric oxide bioavailability in patients with coronary artery disease. Although EECP showed short-term effects in improving coronary flow in patients with coronary slow flow, whether such improvement is durable remains uncertain, and the relationships between such improvement and changes in multiple organ functions as well as inflammatory markers have not been elucidated. The purpose of this study will be to evaluate the potential clinical benefits of EECP on organ function and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations during post-acute sequela of cardiovascular surgery.