Our personal experience with intra-aortic balloon pumping.

Intra-aortic counterpulsation (IABP) was used in 64 patients because of: 1. Low output syndrome after open heart surgery. 2. Medical refractory cardiogenic shock. 3. Elective, preoperative in ischemic heart disease. 4. Extending myocardial infarction. 5. Evolving impending infarction. In the first group in 78% hemodynamic stabilization was achieved but the survival percentage was 46%. In cardiogenic shock the results were closely related to the duration of shock, but nevertheless survival rate was low (3 from 13 patients treated). IABP was also applied as elective, preoperative support in high risk patients with ischemic heart disease (unstable angine and poor left ventricular function). In this group the rate of perioperative myocardial infarction was lower than in overall material.