Differential responses to larger volume intra‐aortic balloon counterpulsation: Hemodynamic and clinical outcomes

OBJECTIVES: Examine hemodynamic and clinical correlates of use of an intra‐aortic balloon pump catheter in a single center. BACKGROUND: The intra‐aortic balloon pump catheter (IABC) has been used for 50 years but the clinical benefit is still debated. We reviewed 76 patients with right heart catheter measurements prior to IABC to assess response and outcomes. METHODS: All patients who received IABC with a 50cc balloon for at least 1 hour were included in this retrospective chart review study. Demographics, comorbidities, lab values, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded at baseline and 15 h postinsertion. RESULTS: Seventy‐six patients had paired measurements of cardiac output. 60 patients had a higher cardiac output with IABC treatment (responder group) and 16 did not (nonresponders). In the 60 patients in the responder group, cardiac output and index significantly increased from baseline 3.6 ± 1.3 L/min to 5.2 ± 1.8 L/min, and 1.8 ± 0.5 L/min/m(2) to 2.6 ± 0.8 L/min/m(2) respectively following IABC placement (P < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Various hemodynamic variables were examined and the best predictor of response to IABC was a cardiac power index of 0.3 or less. Regardless of response, in hospital survival was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients improve their cardiac output with IABC but survival was unchanged. Further work into the pathophysiology of cardiogenic shock is needed.