Elective peri-operative intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation during maxillofacial free flap reconstructive surgery in a patient with severe cardiomyopathy.
A key anaesthetic goal in reconstructive free flap surgery is to maintain optimum blood flow to maximise flap survival. We describe the use of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in a patient with severe cardiac dysfunction, in whom surgery was initially felt to be contraindicated.
Jennings
A
A
Department of Anaesthetics, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester, UK. ajennings@doctors.org.uk
Norman
A
A
Whitelock
D
D
Haynes
S
S
James
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply