Method of optimizing patient outcome from external counterpulsation therapy

Abstract

A method of data management for optimizing the patient outcome from the provision of external counterpulsation (ECP) therapy is described. This method describes a process by which sets of dynamic cardiopulmonary dependent variables are measured during steady-state conditions, displayed, and translated into quantitative and qualitative measurements while the independent variables of ECP, cuff inflation duration and cuff inflation pressure settings of ECP systems, are altered by a physician. In combination with visual observation and computer-assisted ranking of the dependent variables, a physician can utilize the resulting information to render decisions on the optimal choice of the independent variables. The method will enable physicians to collect, view, track and manage complicated data using well-understood visualization techniques to better understand the consequences, acutely and chronically, of their therapeutic actions in general, and of their provision of ECP therapy in particular.