The intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation affects patients through a combination of coronary flow improvement and afterload reduction. It has been the subject matter of several studies, but its benefit as mechanical support has not been proven. This work aims to prove the benefits of balloon counterpulsation in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction who, after primary angioplasty, cannot achieve an ST-segment reduction of over 50%. Cardiogenic shock was the exclusion criteria for this study.
Each study arm included 50 patients. There was a trend towards the reduction of mortality and hospital readmissions due to heart failure among patients in the balloon counterpulsation group. New studies with more patients will provide further favorable evidence or eventually vanquish this device.
Original title: Survival Improvement in Extensive Myocardial Infarction with Persistent Ischemia Following Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Implantation.
Presenter: Lokie van Nunen.
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