The combined use of diastolic counterpulsation and coronary dilation in unstable angina due to multivessel disease under unstable hemodynamic conditions.

Sixteen patients with multivessel ischemic heart disease and severely jeopardized myocardium required intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation subsequent to a deterioration in hemodynamics during or following a coronary angioplasty procedure. They had all suffered unstable angina which was refractory to intensive medical therapy, consisting of a combination of nitroglycerin, beta-adrenergic antagonists, and calcium blockers. Thirty angioplasties had been attempted (1.9 artery stem/patient) with a primary success rate of 90%. The symptoms of prolonged myocardial ischemia had disappeared, and the patient's blood pressure had normalized. No complications were associated with the use of the mechanical circulatory assistance. There were no deaths related to the procedure itself, and no myocardial infarctions. Emergency surgery was not required. One patient did die in hospital, however, due to cerebrovascular accident which occurred 4 days after removal of the mechanical circulatory support. Two also died suddenly later. One patient also required later elective coronary arterial bypass surgery and another needed repeated coronary dilation. The 12 remaining patients are asymptomatic at a follow-up with mean value of 22 months. Temporary intra-aortic diastolic counterpulsation is a useful adjunct to coronary angioplasty in patients with multivessel unstable angina and compromised hemodynamics.