Question:
What is an IABP, and why is it used?
Answer:
Counterpulsation using an IABP both increases diastolic pressure as well as blood flow within the coronary arteries and decreases the demand for oxygen in the myocardium. The balloon is inflated in the diastolic portion of the cardiac cycle and deflated during the systolic portion of this pattern. An IABP can be inserted before a cardiac catheterization procedure in high-risk patients. Patients that experience hypotension during diagnostic or therapeutic catheterization services are also candidates for placement of an IABP.
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