ROLE OF IABP IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A REVIEW

Guiomar Dos Anjos Correia and Zhou Xue Feng*

ABSTRACT

Last few decades IABP is widely used for mechanical circulatory support which increases oxygen supply and reducing oxygen demand, works on the principles of diastolic inflation and systolic deflation of balloon. IABP is a type of internal counterpulsation, placed in descending thoracic aorta through the femoral artery, favored by Cardiologists and Cardiac surgeons due to easy insertion as well fast insertion and sometimes serious complications (bleeding, stroke, infections) occurs. Clinically, IABP is used in high risk patients of Myocardial infarction mainly complicated by cardiogenic shock, instable patients of elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and during cardiac artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).Converging data proved that IABP has great role in heart failure patients awaiting for heart transplantation as long term supports. Still, IABP is preferred, though many counterpulsation devices have been developed and tested.

Keywords: Counterpulsation; IABP (intra-aortic balloon pump); PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention); CABG (cardiac artery bypass graft surgery).