[Experience with intra-aortic balloon pumping preventively used in patients with a low left ventricular ejection fraction, operated on under extracorporeal circulation].

One hundred and fifty-six patients with coronary heart disease and a low (less than 30%) left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), operated on under extracorporeal circulation and preventive intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) were examined. The latter was found to promote the maintenance of stable hemodynamic parameters during and after surgery. Postoperative acute heart failure developed in 101 (64.7%) patients. Mortality was 9.6% (15 patients), in 9 cases death occurred after acute heart failure. There were no intra- and postoperative cases of lower extremity ischemia. Thus, preventive IABP is a safe and effective procedure in patients with low myocardial contractility (EF less than 30%), operated on under extracorporeal circulation.