The Cardiovascular field is one of the fastest growing areas in medicine with new devices and drugs introduced with promising results to enhance a patients quality of life and change the outcomes. Interventional cardiology is currently in major focus in all cardiology meetings and seminars. Not all patients are candidates for this invasive procedure. This is well studied with multiple clinical trials. A country like India with vast rural areas and population many are afraid or not able to access the super-specialty interventional care. Emerging treatments like Enhanced External Counter pulsation (EECP), which is a non-invasive day care procedure, safe and effective method to promote angiogenesis should be brought to the attention of patients, general physicians, and policymakers. This technology is very effective to help many patients to improve the quality of life without having to undergo elective Percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).
Currently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) cleared EECP as a Class II device for the treatment of refractory angina pectoris, and all other diseases including myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, and congestive heart failure as Class III device. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the US also approved EECP for national reimbursement coverage for the treatment of refractory angina patients in 2000. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) in its ACC/AHA 2002 Guideline Update for the Management of Patients with Chronic Stable Angina included EECP therapy with a IIb Class of recommendation for the treatment of patients with refractory angina not amenable to medical therapy or revascularization. The ACCF/AHA 2012 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease, EECP therapy retained the same IIb rating. Recently, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released the ESC 2013 Guidelines on the Management of Stable Coronary Artery Disease. ECP was included in the Guideline with a IIa Class of Recommendation, signifying that the weight of evidence and level of opinion are in favour for using EECP for patients suffering refractory angina. While ischemic stroke is not yet a US FDA cleared indication of EECP therapy, it has been a major application in other countries, where a large amount of clinical data has been accumulated over the years.
In 2013 the AHA and ASA (American Stroke Association), in their Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke, listed EECP therapy as a method for augmenting cerebral blood flow with a Class IIb recommendation.
All these recommendations have made EECP a useful tool in managing cardiovascular disease, including stroke and other vascular diseases. International cardiology EECP society ( ICES ) is formed to monitor and help counter pulsation centers to maintain high-quality treatment delivery through the systematic training of the nurses and physicians. The organization also assist in clinical research in this area to widen the indication of EECP treatment.
Mission & Vision
To advance scientific knowledge and to promote active research in the field of Non-Invasive Enhanced External Counter Pulsation treatment in the area of cardiovascular disease.
Hold conferences, continuous education program, expert gathering, policy decision on national cardiovascular disease management, and patient awareness meetings.
Conduct training courses for EECP treatment and provide certification to eligible physicians and nurse practitioners.
Provide assistance to improve the quality of EECP / external counter pulsation centers.
Publish original review articles in peer-reviewed journals of good clinical standing.
Raise membership fee and industry sponsor to cover the clinical and social activity related to cardiovascular disease, which the management of the society may think it's necessary.
Actively engage in the research protocol and conduct research to improve the understanding of EECP treatment.
To start and professionally run model EECP treatment centers for patient treatment and training for physicians and clinical nurses. These centers will provide high-quality clinic services with nursing, and physician training and will also hold education classes for public