Background: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) enhances coronary perfusion and reduces left ventricular\r\nafterload. However, the role of EECP on renal function in cardiac patients is unknown. Our aim was to assess renal\r\nfunction determined by serum cystatin C in cardiac patients before and after EECP treatment.\r\nMethods: A prospective observational longitudinal study was conducted in order to evaluate renal function using\r\nserum cystatin C (Cys C) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after 35 sessions of EECP treatment in 30\r\npatients with chronic stable angina and/or heart failure. The median (IQR) time for follow-up period after starting\r\nEECP treatment was 16 (10ââ?¬â??24) months.\r\nResults: Cys C significantly declined from 1.00 (0.78-1.31) to 0.94 (0.77-1.27) mg/L (p < 0.001) and estimated GFR\r\nincreased from 70.47 (43.88-89.41) to 76.27 (49.02-91.46) mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.006) after EECP treatment. Subgroup\r\nanalysis showed that patients with baseline GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or NT-proBNP >125 pg/mL had a significant\r\ndecrease in Cys C when compared to other groups (p < 0.01).\r\nConclusions: The study demonstrated that EECP could improve long-term renal function in cardiac patients\r\nespecially in cases with declined renal function or with high NT-proBNP.
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