Intraaortic balloon pump

inital
	after repositioning

• Used in cases of cardiogenic shock or recent cardiac surgery
• Placed, via a femoral artery, into the descending aorta
• Balloon inflates during diastole, thereby increasing flow in the coronary arteries and improving cardiac perfusion
• Small metal rectangle at its tip should be placed within the descending aorta, just distal to the left subclavian artery
  • Placement too proximally within the aorta may diminish flow to the arch vessels
  • Placement too distally will reduce effectiveness, and may occlude visceral (SMA, renal) arteries