[Possibilities of treatment in acute failure of the right heart].

Acute right heart failure can be influenced positively by means of right-sided respectively left-sided intraventricular balloon pump and the intraaortic counterpulsation. Yet, due to a narrow safety margin one should not try the right-sided intraventricular balloon pump in humans. Left-sided intraventricular balloon pumping immediately enhances cardiac output by 20--30%; the myocardial blood-flow to the subendocardium increases by 50%; finally the myocardial oxygen supply improves. Balloon inflation only during ejection time is demanded. So, up to 6 hours, properly timed left intraventricular balloon pumping does not damage left ventricular dimensions. The use of the intraaortic balloon pump was without problems. This pump device increases myocardial bloodflow to the subendocardium most effectively. There is a broad safety margin, too. Intraaortic counterpulsation should be started as soon as acute right heart failure is evident.