Intra-aortic balloon pump: a perspective.

The mortality from acute myocardial infarction has declined 14-18 percent since the advent of coronary care units. This decline has been attributed to the early detection and prophylactic treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances. Infarction complicated by congestive heart failure and cardiogenic shock accounts for major residual mortality. Available evidence in man have shown reversal of cardiogenic shock with the use of mechanical circulatory assistance via the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). Expanded IABP use now includes unstable angina refractory to medical therapy and post infarction ischemic pain. Future roles of IABP include its earlier use in the management of complicated myocardial infarction, as well as a modality useful in reducing myocardial infarction size.