title: Pulmonary artery balloon counterpulsation for intraoperative right ventricular failure.
abstract: Two cases of severe low cardiac output and right ventricular failure after coronary artery bypass grafting necessitated pulmonary artery balloon counterpulsation after intraaortic balloon pumping and maximal inotropic/pressor support were unsuccessful in maintaining a satisfactory cardiac output. Hemodynamic improvement was sufficient to allow removal of the device 2 and 3 days postoperatively, with survival in 1 patient. Pulmonary artery counterpulsation is less morbid in comparison with other mechanical methods of right ventricular support and is applicable in right ventricular failure of intermediate severity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Skillington
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Couper
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Peigh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Cohn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015908:Counterpulsation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male