RESUMEN
Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive FDA approved therapy for patients with refractory angina pectoris. The EECP mechanism of action is similar to that of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) by administering a vigorous pressure pulse via external blood pressure cuffs during the diastole. The benefit of EECP includes improvement in angina severity, angina stability, maximal walking capacity and generalized improvement in overall health. Seatle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) is a valid, reliable and sensitive measure of health-related quality of life. It is also a sensitive and reproducible evaluation tool to measure the response to an intervention. We did a pre-test post-test designed prospective study to evaluate the effect of EECP on the quality of life in patients with CAD. There was a significant difference between SAQ-7 health-related quality of life between the pre-EECP and post-EECP groups (P value= <0.01). Moreover, a positive correlation was reported between the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification before treatment and post-EECP SAQ-7 health-related quality of life (P value=0.015).
RESUMEN
Takayasu arteritis is a type of large vessel vasculitis that mainly affects the aorta and its major branches. The disease can have a myriad of manifestations ranging from non-specific symptoms of low-grade fever and weight loss to lower limb claudication. A 21-year-old woman presented with uncontrolled hypertension for the last six months. The CT aortogram revealed total occlusion of the abdominal aorta with collateral vessels formed by the right and left internal mammary artery. We present a case of Takayasu arteritis in a 21-year-old woman with complete obstruction of the abdominal aorta. She was treated only with oral medications. The associated review of the literature is also discussed.