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Heart Hospital - Procedures
Intra-aortic Balloon Pump
Why is the doctor performing this procedure?
To increase blood flow to the heart and to decrease the
heart's work load.
What is the procedure?
The intra-aortic balloon pump, commonly called IABP, is a
catheter-based procedure for patients with severe
heart disease (e.g. heart attack, heart failure, etc.) or
for patients waiting for a heart transplant.
The procedure requires placement of an intra-aortic balloon
catheter into an artery, usually in the groin (the femoral
artery) and then advanced into the largest artery in your
body, the aorta. Next, the intra-aortic balloon catheter is
connected to a machine, called an IABP. The IABP is used to
control the inflation/deflation and timing, so that the
intra-aortic balloon will inflate when the heart muscle
relaxes and deflate just before the heart pumps again. This
process is called "counterpulsation." which assists the
heart as follows:
The IABP, which is at the bedside, inflates the intra-aortic
balloon within the aorta when the heart is relaxed. This
allows the heart to receive more oxygen-rich blood without
working so hard. Then, just before the heart gets ready to
pump this oxygenated blood, the pump deflates the
intra-aortic balloon. This creates a drop in the pressure
within the aorta, assisting the heart by reducing the amount
of work on the heart, so the heart can pump the blood more
easily throughout the body.
Once the heart stabilizes and can function properly on its
own, the intra-aortic balloon catheter is removed, and
pressure is applied to the insertion site to stop bleeding.
The IABP is typically used for the following situations:
- During emergency situations, including heart attack
and heart failure.
- During severe angina episodes.
- Before, during, or after open-heart surgery (in
certain patients only).
- Before, during, or after balloon angioplasty (in
certain patients only).
- During the waiting period for a donor heart for heart
transplantation.
Where is the procedure performed?
The intra-aortic balloon pump insertion is usually done in
the Heart Hospital Cardiovascular Lab. Occasionally, it is performed in the
Operating Room (OR) or the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
How long does this procedure take?
The placement of the IABP takes about 30 minutes. The
catheter and IABP are then left in place until they are no
longer needed - usually a few days.
9/9/2008
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