Reducing Perioperative Mortality with the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump

The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) enhances myocardial performance by minimizing oxygen supply/demand mismatch [1–6]. Balloon inflation during diastole enhances myocardial oxygen delivery due to increased diastolic coronary perfusion pressure [4–6]. Balloon deflation just prior to systole reduces myocardial oxygen demand by unloading the left ventricle [4–6]. Recent evidence has identified the IABP as a therapeutic modality that may reduce perioperative mortality due to these myocardial benefits [1–3].