[Clinical experiences with intra-aortic balloon pumping].

The clinical experience with intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) in 16 patients in a hospital without cardiac surgery is described. The indications for IABP were cardiogenic shock in 8 cases, preshock in extensive myocardial infarction in 2 cases, unstable angina in 4 cases and ventricular septal rupture after acute myocardial infarction in 2 cases. The prognosis in cardiogenic shock after extensive acute myocardial infarction (CPK average 1545 U/l) or after reinfarction was poor in spite of treatment with IABP (survival only 25%). Important insertion of balloon pumping technique are percutaneous insertion of balloon catheters and transport of patients by ambulance with functioning IABP.