title: Reprint of "Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation--basic principles and clinical evidence".
abstract: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation has been the most widely used left ventricular assist device for nearly five decades. Due to diastolic inflation and systolic deflation, coronary blood flow is increased and afterload decreased translating into augmentation of oxygen supply and lowering of oxygen demand. However, IABP may be associated with serious complications, including major bleeding, stroke, local and systemic infections and vascular complications. These might counterbalance the potential beneficial hemodynamic effects. In clinical routine, IABP is mainly used in high-risk patients with acute myocardial infarction, especially when complicated by cardiogenic shock. Further, prophylactic IABP use is frequently performed in patients at high risk for hemodynamic instability undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Current evidence, however, does not fully support routine use of IABP in these settings. This review focuses on the basic principles of IABP and discusses current evidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, University of Leipzig - Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: s-dw@gmx.net.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Waha
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, University of Leipzig - Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desch
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, University of Leipzig - Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eitel
authors.affiliation: Medical Clinic II, University of Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fuernau
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, University of Leipzig - Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lurz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, University of Leipzig - Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sandri
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, University of Leipzig - Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.affiliation: Medical Clinic II, University of Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thiele
keywords: Basic principles; Clinical evidence; Intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation