Pulmonary artery balloon counterpulsation for right ventricular failure: II. Clinical experience.

The use of pulmonary artery balloon counterpulsation (PABC) provided immediate salvage following cardiac surgical procedures in 2 patients with biventricular failure in whom inotropic drugs and intraaortic balloon counterpulsation did not provide sufficient support to allow weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Although both patients eventually died, the hemodynamic effectiveness of PABC was documented. The various clinical settings for right ventricular as well as biventricular failure are reviewed, the currently available options for treatment are summarized, and the directions for future laboratory investigation and possible clinical applications are presented.