Evaluation of enhanced external counterpulsation therapy for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Open Access
- 17 June 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in BMC Ophthalmology
- Vol. 20 (1), 1-7
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-020-01509-7
Abstract
To explore the effects of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) and its underlying influencing factors in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) patients. Patients at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center with recent-onset (< 8 weeks) NAION were retrospectively recruited. The patients had decided whether or not they would undergo EECP treatment, and the patients who declined were included in the control group. The effectiveness of EECP was evaluated by comparing the visual function and fellow eye involvement in patients with and without EECP treatment. In total, 61 patients (76 eyes) were included. Twenty-nine patients (37 eyes) underwent EECP treatment, while 32 patients (39 eyes) were included in the control group. Mean time from NAION onset to EECP initiation was 27.59 ± 16.70 days. In the EECP group, the mean EECP duration was 31.57 ± 18.45 days. EECP was well tolerated by all patients. However, there was no significant difference in visual function between the EECP and control groups. Furthermore, there was no evidence of the effectiveness of EECP in the subgroup analysis of patients with different systemic health conditions. Among the 42 patients with monocular NAION, the sequential attack rate was comparable between the EECP (27.78%) and control (25.00%) groups. This study is the first nonrandomized controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of EECP in NAION patients. Unfortunately, we failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of EECP in NAION at the 6-month follow-up. Any further application of EECP in NAION patients should be cautious.Keywords
Other Versions
Funding Information
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (81870656)
- Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2017A030313610)
- Bethune and Langmu Ophthalmologic Research Fund (BJ-I.M2016002J)
- Fundamental Research Funds of the State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology (30306020240020130, 3030902113030)
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effect of Enhanced External Counterpulsation on Coronary Slow Flow and Its Relation with Endothelial Function and Inflammation: A Mid-Term Follow-Up StudyCardiology, 2012
- Is Intravitreal Bevacizumab an Effective Treatment Option for Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy?Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, 2012
- Living related hemi-face skin transplant using radial forearm free flap for a xeroderma pigmentosa patient: early outcomeHead & Neck Oncology, 2010
- Treatment of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic NeuropathySurvey of Ophthalmology, 2010
- Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy: A review and updateJournal of Clinical Neuroscience, 2009
- Ischemic Optic NeuropathiesThe Neurologist, 2008
- Impact of Enhanced External Counterpulsation on Peripheral CirculationAngiology, 2007
- Enhanced external counterpulsation for the relief of angina in patients with diabetes: safety, efficacy and 1-year clinical outcomesAmerican Heart Journal, 2003
- The Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Decompression Trial (IONDT): Design and MethodsControlled Clinical Trials, 1998
- Optic Nerve Decompression Surgery for Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Is Not Effective and May Be HarmfulJAMA, 1995