Studies on ECP show most patients:
- Significantly improve or completely eliminate their symptoms (angina)
- Significantly increase their stamina, exercise tolerance, and quality of life
- Reduce or eliminate their use of nitroglycerin (GTN) and other medications
- Experience these benefits for many years, as shown on stress thallium tests that illustrate the improved blood flow to the heart muscle
- Are less likely than bypass and angioplasty patients to go to the emergency room, require hospital stays, and undergo additional surgical procedures
- One study found that patients do just as well five years after ECP as those who have surgery