Effect of increased intra-aortic balloon pressure on catheter volume: relationship to changing altitudes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of intra-aortic balloon membrane response under increasing intracatheter pressure by indexing these data to associated barometric pressures that occur with changes in altitude.


METHODS
A static compliance test was performed to assess the effect of internal pressure on intra-aortic balloon compliance (simulating helium gas within the intra-aortic balloon affected by barometric pressure). Testing consisted of incrementally increasing pressure within eight percutaneous intra-aortic balloons from four leading manufacturers.


METHODS
The University of Utah Department of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory.


METHODS
No patients were involved. This study was a bench test lab study.


METHODS
No patient interventions were utilized.


RESULTS
Results for all trials showed a curvilinear relationship between intracatheter pressure and balloon volume. Clinically significant balloon expansion data were obtained, with manufacturer variation observed at moderate-to-high pressures.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of this study, recommendations for operation of intra-aortic balloon pumps during altitude ascent and descent are proposed, from which individual institutional protocols may be developed.
Mertlich
G B
GB
University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City.
Quaal
S J
SJ
Borgmeier
P R
PR
DeVries
K L
KL
D000531:Altitude; D003187:Compliance; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D008961:Models, Structural; D011312:Pressure