Prinzmetal’s variant angina is effectively treated with enhanced external counterpulsation

Abstract

A 57 year-old woman suffering from severe Prinzmetal’s angina was treated with a 7-week course of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP). After completing EECP the angina intensity was reduced from CCS class IV to class I, quality of life was increased and medication was significantly reduced. The number of hospitalisations due to chest pain was reduced from 81 in the two years before EECP to 2 in the two years after EECP. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the effect of EECP on Printzmetal’s angina.

Key Words:

• Variant angina
• coronary spasm
• EECP