IABP Device Improves Post-Surgical Cardiac Condition

A novel intra-aortic balloon (IAB) pump console helps wean patients from cardiopulmonary bypass after suffering perioperative injury to myocardial tissue.

The Angiodroid (San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy) AngioPulse console is specifically designed for weaning situations by automatically increasing cardiac output and coronary blood flow, thereby increasing myocardial oxygen perfusion. The console includes an interactive touch screen monitor with a graphical user interface (GUI), a remote control that functions via a wireless interface, and an interactive user guide for simple, rapid operation. The new IABP console does not require any signal synchronization, and is designed to allow constant monitoring of therapy.

The AngioPulse console can control a range of IAB balloons, inflating them with helium stored in an on-board canister. The low viscosity of the Helium allows it to travel quickly through the connecting tubes to the IAB, and also has a lower risk than air of causing an embolism, should the balloon rupture. Using the remote control, patients can guide pressure regulation during treatment on their own accord, with an automatic lock-screen to prevent accidents. Omnidirectional self-braking wheels and a three-meter cable provide portability.

“It’s an important step in the context of counterpulsation; now it will be possible to give IABP therapy focusing on pressure regulation,” said Sebastiano Zannoli, founder and CEO of Angiodroid. “Doctors will no longer be concerned with issues related to synchronizing the console with heartbeat pulsation. This now belongs to the past.”

An IABP consists of a cylindrical polyethylene balloon that sits in the aorta, about two centimeters from the left subclavian artery. The balloon counterpulsates, inflating during diatole to increase blood flow to the coronary arteries via retrograde flow, and actively deflating during systole, thus increasing forward blood flow by reducing afterload through a vacuum effect. The combined actions decrease myocardial oxygen demand and increase myocardial oxygen supply.

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