What is intra-aortic balloon pumping?
Intra-aortic balloon pumping is a temporary emergency measure to help the heart pump more blood and improve blood flow to the heart. What is an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)? An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a device that provides the assistance to the heart. How does the IABP work? The IABP includes a large tube inserted through a catheter into an artery in the groin area (femoral artery). The tube is then passed into the aorta. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body and the first blood vessel leading from the heart to the body. Once in place, the IABP tube is attached to a balloon pump machine. The balloon pump machine pumps special air into the tube, causing the balloon on the tube to inflate and deflate at specific times during a heart beat. The inflation helps push blood forward into the body and also backward into the heart’s blood vessels. The pumping action helps both the body and the heart get more blood. How long is an IABP used? Usually only a short time.
