title: Prophylactic intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in cardiac surgery: it is time for clear evidence.
abstract: In the previous issue of Critical Care, Yu and colleagues report increased morbidity and mortality in patients after myocardial infarction undergoing prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump support before coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The impact of prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump implantation before coronary artery bypass graft therapy still is controversially debated. However, Yu and colleagues emphasize further discussion and substantiate the need for a prospective randomized controlled trial on this subject.
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Grieshaber
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Niemann
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Roth
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Böning
mesh_terms: D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*