intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation)

Pathology

• hemodynamic consequences of IABP are:
  • decreased myocardial oxygen demand
  • improved coronary artery blood flow
  • reduced preload
  • reduced afterload

Indications

• heart failure

Contraindications

• cardiogenic shock due to myocardial infarction
  • no mortality benefit

Procedure

• use of a balloon attached to a catheter inserted through the femoral artery into the descending thoracic aorta for producing alternating inflation & deflation during diastole & systole, respectively

Complications

• thrombocytopenia

More general terms

• device (medical device)
• surgical tissue replacement
• counterpulsation

Additional terms

• catheterization