Perspectives on intra-aortic balloon-pump timing.
Triggering and timing of the intra-aortic balloon pump are becoming more sophisticated but more clinically manageable. The key to understanding the data currently available is to go beyond early instruction to "eyeball" waveform analysis. Conclusive assessment of the patient's response to therapy lies in a greater understanding of today's technology and clinical competency in evaluating the patient's total hemodynamic, clinical, and laboratory response to assure maximal therapeutic efficiency of counterpulsation therapy. Nursing research on an ongoing basis will contribute to a greater understanding of this complex therapy. Many of the principles of balloon pumping were derived in the years following its initial introduction. Since that time, we have gained a depth of knowledge and an increased capacity for measuring physiologic and hemodynamic responses at the bedside. Concurrently, the medical industry has designed faster, smarter, and more efficient equipment to complement patient care. The critical care nurse faces the challenge of synthesizing the newest information from both areas and developing a greater understanding of the ongoing care of the patient on the IABP.
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D003971:Diastole; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000379:methods*; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D013599:Systole; D013997:Time Factors