title: Technique of implantation and removal of balloon catheters for the intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation.
abstract: During recent years, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation has become the treatment of choice in patients suffering from left ventricular power failure following cardiac operations. In our clinic IABP became necessary in 55 patients out of 1873 patients operated with heart lung machine during the period under study. The patients were studied in two groups. In Group I the intra aortic balloon counter pulsation was started only after there was no response to pharmacological agents, which often included high doses of catecholamines and vasoconstrictors. The mortality in this group was 74%. The second group consisted of patients treated since 1975. In this group, the counter pulsation was started early before ventricular damage was irreversible. In this group the survival was 52%. In addition we have paid careful attention to the technique of implantation of the balloon catheter, thrombosis prophylaxis during the counter pulsation and removal of any possible thrombi in proximal and distal segments to the arteriotomy with the help of Fogarty catheters together with the closure of the arteriotomy with a vein patch. The technique described has resulted in almost no peripheral vascular complications.
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013599:Systole