IABP

An intra-aortic balloon pump, also known as an IABP, is used to assist the heart to pump more blood around the body.It also improves the delivery of oxygen to the heart.

The IABP is connected to a long catheter (tube) that is inserted via the groin using a small incision made under local anaesthetic. The catheter is then carefully guided up a large blood vessel until it is near the heart. The IABP machine is synchronised to the patient’s heart rhythm and pumps gas into a balloon at the end of this catheter. This balloon rhythmically inflates and deflates pushing blood forward around the body and also pushes blood back into the coronary arteries of the heart. In this way both the body and the heart get improved blood circulation and oxygen delivery.

The IABP is a temporary solution to support a severely weak heart. It will usually only be used for a short time to stabilise a patient. The most common use for an IABP is if a patient has had a severe heart attack or is recovering from heart surgery.

All Intensive Care interventions and procedures carry a degree of potential risk even when performed by skilled and experienced staff. Please discuss these issues with the medical and nursing staff who are caring for the patient.