ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of the enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy as a rehabilitation method in patients with ischemic chronic heart failure (CHF) after COVID- 19. Methods: 54 (n=54) stable symptomatic CHF (NYHA, functional class I-II;35%≤LVEF≤50%) subjects (44 male and 10 female;mean age 61±9,8) with prior anamnesis of CAD, at least one myocardial infarction got the exacerbation of CHF after COVID-19 episode. They were randomized in a 2:1 manner into either 35 1-hour 250-300 mm Hg sessions of EECP (n=36;30 male, 6 female) or Sham-EECP (n=18;14 male, 4 female). All subjects had been received optimal CHF and CAD drug therapy. At baseline, a month and half a year after EECP course every subject was examined with echocardiography and 6-minute walk test. Results: All 36 active EECP treatment group subjects improved by at least 1 NYHA class, 66% of them had no heart failure symptoms post treatment (p<0.01). 84% of treatment group pts. had sustained NYHA class improvement at half a year follow-up (p<0.01), compared with baseline. There was significant difference between LVEF 44±6,5% at baseline vs post-EECP LVEF 50±4,6% (p<0.01) in active EECP treatment group subjects. At the same time there were no significant changes of NYHA class and LVEF in Sham-EECP subjects. No one subject dies after half a year of follow up. Conclusions: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy sustainably improves NYHA functional class and LVEF in patients with ischemic CHF exacerbation after COVID-19.