Influence of intra-aortic balloon pumping on cerebral blood flow pattern in patients after cardiac surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) on cerebral perfusion are still a matter of debate. End-diastolic reversal of blood flow in cerebral arteries has been observed in a small number of patients. We prospectively investigated the incidence and the amount of transient cerebral artery blood flow reversal during balloon pumping in patients recovering from cardiac surgery.


METHODS
In 23 patients receiving IABP support, blood flow velocities in the right middle cerebral artery were assessed by transcranial Doppler-sonography. Additionally, systemic haemodynamics were monitored. In each patient, measurements were performed at three different pump settings: without support, assist ratio 1 : 1 and assist ratio 1 : 2.


RESULTS
In 8 of 23 patients, balloon pumping caused a transient diastolic reversal of blood flow in the middle cerebral artery during balloon deflation. Antegrade mean flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery significantly increased from 57 +/- 27 to 61 +/- 26 (assist ratio 1 : 1) and 61 +/- 29 cm s(-1) (assist ratio 1 : 2) (P < 0.05). Taking transient blood flow reversal into account, net mean flow velocity did not increase with balloon pump support. Systemic haemodynamic parameters remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
Left ventricular support with IABP significantly changed flow patterns in basal cerebral arteries of our patients. In 35% of patients, support resulted in a transient reversal of intracranial blood flow which counterbalanced a slight increase in mean antegrade flow.
Schachtrupp
A
A
Technical University Aachen, Department of General Surgery, Aachen, Germany. Alexander.Schachtrupp@post.rwth-aachen.de
Wrigge
H
H
Busch
T
T
Buhre
W
W
Weyland
A
A
D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology; D002496:Central Venous Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology