Extracorporeal Counterpulsation Therapy Enhances Neurological Outcomes in Patients Experiencing Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of extracorporeal counterpulsation therapy (ECP) on the short-term outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke in the mid-stroke phase.

Methods: A total of 171 patients with acute ischemic stroke from the Department of Neurology at our hospital were selected and randomly assigned to 2 groups: 84 patients in the ECP group and 87 patients in the control group. Both groups received standard medication and rehabilitation. In addition, extracorporeal counterpulsation was incorporated into the treatment for the ECP group. At the conclusion of the treatment and after 90 days, both groups were evaluated based on the NIHSS and MRS scores.

Results: No statistically significant differences were detected between the NIHSS and MRS scores of the 2 groups before and following treatment (P>0.05). However, on the 90th day, the NIHSS and MRS scores of the ECP group were significantly lower than those of the comparison group (P<0.05). The difference in the proportion of patients with NIHSS scores ≤1 between the 2 groups was 20.8%, whereas the absolute difference in MRS scores was 14.1%.

Conclusion: Extracorporeal counter therapy effectively enhances neurological function in patients with ischemic stroke, thereby improving their ability to perform activities of daily living and overall prognosis.