title: Mechanical circulatory assistance for the treatment of complications of coronary artery disease.
abstract: Surgery has become an accepted method of treatment for coronary artery disease and its complications. Revascularization results in significant improvement in symptoms for patients with angina pectoris. Occasionally, patients requiring surgery for angina pectoris will sustain reversible ischemic damage during operation; such patients can be successfully weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass with full recovery when intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation is used. Arrhythmias associated with ischemic damage to the myocardium also can be controlled when IABCP is used for physiologic assistance. Patients in cardiogenicshock of pulmonary edema after acute myocardial infarction have an ominous prognosis. When decompensation occurs, IABCP may be used to stabilize the patient and to allow study and corrective surgery if possible. The prognosis is better for patients with ventricular septal defect, although selected patients without a mechanical defect of the myocardium can be salvaged if the response to IABCP is favorable. Counterpulsation has also been shown to be useful in achieving pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass and in assisting high-risk patients through operation. External pressure circulatory assist (EPCA) is less effective than IABCP in assisting the failing myocardium; however, the external device is noninvasive and may be a useful adjunct in situations where IABCP is not feasible.
mesh_terms: D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000601:surgery; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy; D001158:Arteries; D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000379:methods; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000628:therapy