title: Intra-aortic balloon pumps.
abstract: The use of balloon pumps was first established in the late 1960s as a means of providing mechanical support when a patient's circulation is failing. A balloon assists cardiac function by increasing myocardial oxygen supply and demand.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cardiology/Radiology, King's College Hospital, London.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas