An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a type of therapeutic device. It helps your heart pump more blood. You may need it if your heart is unable to pump enough blood for your body. The IABP consists of a thin, flexible tube called a catheter.

What is a balloon pump used for?

An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a type of therapeutic device. It helps your heart pump more blood. You may need it if your heart is unable to pump enough blood for your body. The IABP consists of a thin, flexible tube called a catheter.

What is the primary goal of IABP therapy?

The primary goal of IABP treatment is to improve the ventricular performance of the failing heart by facilitating an increase in myocardial oxygen supply and a decrease in myocardial oxygen demand.

How does balloon pump decrease afterload?

The intra-aortic balloon, by inflating during diastole, displaces blood volume from the thoracic aorta. In systole, as the balloon rapidly deflates, this creates a dead space, effectively reducing afterload for myocardial ejection and improving forward flow from the left ventricle.

What is a balloon pump patient?

Intraaortic balloon pump, commonly called IABP, is a catheter-based procedure reserved for patients with severe heart disease (e.g. heart attack, congestive heart failure, etc.), and/or while waiting for a heart transplant. The procedure requires placement of a catheter with an intraaortic balloon attached.

Do you need anticoagulation with IABP?

Overall, they found those who received anticoagulation had fewer in-hospital deaths and less limb ischemia without an increase in bleeding events. The authors concluded that anticoagulation should be used whenever possible for all IABP patients.

Does IABP increase cardiac output?

The IABP increases diastolic blood pressure, decreases afterload, decreases myocardial oxygen consumption, increases coronary artery perfusion, and modestly enhances cardiac output. The IABP also provides modest ventricular unloading while also increasing mean arterial pressure and coronary blood flow.

Why is diastolic pressure important in a balloon pump?

Treatment with the intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is the most common form of mechanical support for the failing heart. Augmentation of diastolic pressure during balloon inflation contributes to the coronary circulation and the presystolic deflation of the balloon reduces the resistance to systolic output.

Which condition is a contraindication for IABP use?

Contraindications to IABP include severe peripheral vascular disease as well as aortic regurgitation, dissection, or aneurysm. The potential benefits of IABP must be weighed against its possible complications (bleeding, systemic thromboembolism, limb ischemia, and, rarely, death).

How does a balloon pump increase cardiac output?

The IABP assists the heart indirectly by decreasing the afterload and augments diastolic aortic pressure with subsequent enhancement in diastolic blood flow resulting in better perfusion of the peripheral organ as well as a possible improvement in the coronary blood flow.

Why Helium is used in IABP?

Helium is used to inflate the balloon as it is low density means there is little turbulent flow, so the balloon can inflate fast and deflate slowly. It is also relatively benign and eliminated quickly if there is a leak or rupture in the balloon.

Does balloon pump need heparin?

Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs) are a form of mechanical circulatory support used to enhance cardiac output and increase coronary artery perfusion. Heparin is often used in patients with an IABP, as early registry data have shown an increased risk of limb ischemia and other thrombotic events [1].

Is heparin required with an IABP?

Current evidence on this topic is sparse, especially as relates to patients in the context of cardiothoracic surgery. Just one study specifically looked at surgical patients. However, the existing data suggest that it is safe to omit heparinization when using IABP counterpulsation.

What are the indications for the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)?

Current indications for the intra-aortic balloon pump: The CP-GARO registry Despite current international guidelines regarding the place of IABPs in ischaemic cardiogenic shock without mechanical complications, this aetiology remains the leading cause for its utilization in the contemporary era.

Is intra-aortic balloon pump safe?

Intra-aortic balloon pump: indications, efficacy, guidelines and future directions Current randomized trial data and meta-analyses support the safety of IABP, but provide limited or no support for its efficacy in the treatment of high-risk MI, MI complicated by cardiogenic shock or the use of prophylactic IABP in high-risk PCI and CABG.

What is question 22 on intra aortic balloon pump?

This issue has come up in the exam: Question 22 from the first paper of 2006, “Outline the indications for and the potential complications of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) insertion.” The changing landscape of critical care literature offers some guidance for the use of IABP in the critically ill patient.

What is the role of intraaortic balloon pumping in ischemic right ventricular failure?

Nordhaug D, Steensrud T, Muller S, Husnes KV, Myrmel T. Intraaortic balloon pumping improves hemodynamics and right ventricular efficiency in acute ischemic right ventricular failure. Ann Thorac Surg. 2004 Oct;78(4):1426-32.