Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)



Intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation is a method of invasive hemodynamic support. A catheter is placed through an arterial sheath and advanced into the thoracic aorta. A gas filled balloon at the end of the catheter inflates in sync with the cardiac cycle:

 • Balloon inflates in diastole  → increases coronary perfusion

 • Balloon deflates in systole  → decreases afterload & increases LV stroke volume (SV)

The thick-walled LV is only perfused by the coronaries during diastole. By increasing diastolic pressure, the IABP improves coronary artery perfusion.



 • Triggers (EKG, Pressure)

 • Timing

 • Anticoagulation

 • Complications and Monitoring

 • Augmentation / Weaning



by Nick Mark MD @nickmmark



#IABP #IntraAortic #aortic #Balloon #Pump #diagnosis #management #cardiology #criticalcare