Intraaortic balloon assistance.

Intraaortic balloon (IAB) assistance in 64 patients over 2 1/2 years has resulted in a survival rate of 11% (1 patient) when used alone but 47% when utilized in patients treated surgically (long-term survival, 38% [21 patients]). Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve replacement have a long-term survival of 50% (8 and 9 patients, respectively). The required duration of IAB support has a bearing on the clinical result. Complications have been minimal. Though it was originally developed to assist in the nonoperative management of complications of ischemic heart disease, IAB assistance offers significant promise as an adjuvant to operative therapy for both ischemic and valvular heart disease.