Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a temporary mechanical circulatory assist device. It consists of a sausage-shaped balloon mounted on a catheter and placed in the descending thoracic aorta. By inflating during diastole and deflating during systole, it results in augmentation of the diastolic perfusion pressure and systolic unloading. The overall effects are an increased coronary perfusion, reduction in myocardial ischemia, reduced preload, afterload and myocardial oxygen demand, increased cardiac output, and peripheral perfusion. Due to these remarkable hemodynamic changes the device is very useful in situations requiring circulatory support in the presence of ischemic/failing heart.

Volume 2, Number 1, Pages: 55-7

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