an apparatus consisting of a rigid frame that connects pins passed through the skin into the bone above and below a fracture. This immobilizes the fracture, and is used particularly to treat some compound fractures. An external fixator is also used for *limb lengthening.
(EECP) an experimental treatment for patients with intractable angina. Specially designed inflatable trousers are inflated rhythmically in time with ventricular *diastole. Theoretically this imparts additional energy to the circulating blood volume when the heart is relaxed, and this may improve blood flow down severely narrowed coronary arteries. It is also claimed to have beneficial effects on blood flow to other organs. Despite promising clinical trials, this technique has not been widely adopted.... enhanced external counterpulsation
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