Macrae D J, Glenville B, McCarthy T, Cooper L, Guerreiro D, Ross D N
Department of Anaesthesia, Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Ann Thorac Surg. 1989 May;47(5):752-5. doi: 10.1016/0003-4975(89)90134-3.
Using a circulatory analogue, we investigated sequentially the performance of a dedicated ventricular assist device driver and an intraaortic balloon pump when driving a pneumatic ventricular assist device. Each drive device was compared under identical pumping conditions at rates of 40 to 120 cycles/min against two resistances. Our preliminary study showed that a modified intraaortic balloon pump could drive a pneumatic ventricular assist device as effectively as its dedicated driver. The necessary modifications to and possible further development of the intraaortic balloon in this role are discussed.
