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Patient Testimonials

Over the course of treating hundreds of patients, we have seen the dramatic improvement in their daily lives. Counterpulsation is considered by many patients who undergo the therapy a "magical" solution. Without undergoing risky heart surgery they have been able to conquer the most devastating consequences symptoms of their heart disease and return to an active daily routine. Some patients who could barely walk up a flight of stairs have begun playing tennis and other sport activities. By the way, if you would like to exchange experiences with others, visit our ECP discussion board. Don't let us spoil the fun, read for yourself:

• Al Bisignano smoked 3+ packs of cigarettes a day for 30 years. He had to have quintuple bypass in 1985 and has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Over the past few years he found it more difficult to breathe and had no energy for doing everyday things. He became very cautious about participating in any activity because it would produce angina. Even walking very short distances would give him angina and shortness of breath.
  
  Since completing his ECP treatment 10 months ago, 73 year old Al says he is now walking every day with no pain or shortness of breath. He also notes that he had a new prescription filled for nitroglycerine prior to starting CardiAssist™ ECP therapy 10 months ago, but has not yet had the need to take even one pill from the bottle. Al is feeling great, is more energetic, is doing handyman chores around the house and even better, is enjoying dancing and being able to live a normal life again.
   

• John Bartolomeo is a 55 year old teacher who had a MI in April, 1999. CPR was initiated and he was shocked more than 10 times. The doctors in the hospital were pessimistic about his recovery and stated that the chances for John's returning to a normal life were minimal. John did recover however, and because he did not want any interventional procedures, he signed himself out of the hospital against the doctor's orders and into the care of his own cardiologist, who recommended External Counterpulsation. John is now back teaching full time and feels he has a new "lease on life", thanks to CardiAssist™ ECP.
   

• Nevada Cardiology Associates, David Fink Administrative Manager-March 1,1999

Nevada Cardiology Associates (NCA) started providing external counterpulsation to its patients in February, 1998 with equipment purchased from Cardiomedics.

According to David Fink, NCA patients that have undergone counterpulsation therapy exhibit a number of interesting and beneficial results. A high percentage have shown to have increased myocardial perfusion via post therapy radionuclide scans, therefore decreasing the frequencey and severity of anginal episodes. Many have reported increased exercise tolerance and a generalized feeling of better health.

Mr. Fink also indicated that the "flexibility Cardiomedics has in structuring leasing and insight into insurance billing and reimbursement helped us greatly". He further states, "the portability of the CardiAssist™ device now makes 'any exam room available' therapy a reality which makes scheduling much easier for our staff. Cardiomedics interest in our practice did not stop with the sales order; they are always bringing us up to date on advances in ECP. Our requests for service or additional training are always handled in a timely manner.

• Ray Picher had bypass surgery in 1980 and an angioplasty in 1990. Despite aggressive medical therapy, even minimal activity would produce shortness of breath and pain in his chest. At the age of 76, Ray had absolutely no energy. He thought he was coming to the end of his life and would no longer be able to do the things he enjoyed.
  
  Since having CardiAssist™ ECP therapy, Ray has had no angina or shortness of breath. He now walks 1 1/2 miles, five times a week and mows the lawn. Ray says, "I feel great and am very happy with how CardiAssist™ ECP has helped give me back my life."
   
• Lynn Butler, 51, had Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery 8 years ago. However, like many diabetics, his grafts closed back up again. Since he was not a candidate for additional surgery or angioplasty, Mr. Butler was told by his Cardiologist to go home and take it easy. Adding to Mr. Butler's burden was the psychological impact of his Cardiologist's statement that there was nothing else that could be done. His only option, or so he thought, was to sit at home, take his medicine and pray he would make it through another day.
  
  Although skeptical at first, after receiving 35 CardiAssist™ ECP treatments, Lynn is now living life again. It has been months since he last took any nitroglycerin and he now works a 40 hour work week. Lynn is now a firm believer saying, "I have my life back without drugs, surgery or angioplasty, amazing."
   
• Though only 50 years of age, Akshay Patel suffered with chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and the frequent need for nitroglycerine. His ability to work was very limited due to the onset of one or all of these symptoms. He had 4 arteries that were blocked, and it was recommended that he have at least an angioplasty for symptomatic relief. However, Akshay did not want to have any invasive procedures until he had exhausted all other options, one of which turned out to be ECP.
  
  It has now been over 14 months since he finished his ECP course of treatment and he is still delighted with the fact that he can now climb stairs (even up to 7 floors) with no shortness of breath or chest pain. He no longer needs to take one of his medications and the others have been cut in half by his physician. His use of nitroglycerine has dropped dramatically...he has not had to take ANY since having CardiAssist™ ECP therapy! Akshay says, "what makes me happiest is the fact that having the ECP treatment has eliminated my need to have any invasive procedures. You just can't beat that outcome."
  
  
• Metuchen Heart Associates, Gerald Weisfoel, M.D., F.A.C.C. and Jewel Shanahan, CMA, CSMC - March 4,1999
  
  Dr. Weisfogel had been using a competitor's machine for 2 years. Prior to deciding to switch to the CardiAssist™ ECP System, they conducted a 6 month side-by-side analysis of the two devices. According to Dr. Weisfogel, "The two competing machines are clinically equal in terms of efficacy, however, patients always preferred the Cardiomedics machine for comfort."
  
  Dr. Weisfogel believes that external counterpulsation is "in its infancy", but is here to stay and has significant potential now that Medicare reimbursement is available."
  
  Dr. Weisfogel's Clinical Director, Jewel Shanahan, described the following benefits that two of her patients experienced after receiving ECP therapy:
   
  • 1) an 89 year old man who, prior to treatment, could barely walk across a room, is now able to walk "many blocks" without Angina pain after therapy, and
     
  • 2) a 47 year old man who could barely go up a few stairs is now able to carry several boxes of encyclopedias upstairs without any chest pain.