Short intra-aortic balloon pump in a swine model of myocardial ischaemia: a proof-of-concept study

Objectives: This proof-of-concept study examined the haemodynamic performance as well as the coronary and visceral organ perfusion using a new short balloon for intra-aortic counterpulsation (IABP) in a swine model of myocardial ischaemia.

Methods: Eighteen healthy pigs underwent 120-min ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 6 h of reperfusion, and they were randomly assigned into 3 groups undergoing IABP implantation with a 35-ml short balloon (n = 6), a 40-ml short balloon (n = 6) or no IABP implantation (controls, n = 6). Haemodynamics, and visceral and coronary flows were measured at baseline (t0), at 2 h of ischaemia (t1) and every hour thereafter until 6 h of reperfusion (from tR1 to tR6), respectively.

Results: Mesenteric and renal flows increased significantly at tR1 only in the IABP groups (all, P < 0.001) and were significantly higher than controls throughout the reperfusion periods (P < 0.001). Coronary systolic and diastolic blood flows increased only at tR1 in the IABP groups (all, P < 0.001) but were higher than controls at tR1-tR6. The IABP was associated with enhanced haemodynamics compared with controls. No difference was detected using different balloon volumes (all, P > 0.05).

Conclusions: The new short balloon significantly increased visceral flow, enhanced haemodynamics and improved coronary circulation during reperfusion following myocardial ischaemia in our experimental model.