A novel approach to pediatric intraaortic balloon pump timing using M-mode echocardiography.

Timing balloon inflation and deflation is difficult in pediatric patients undergoing intraaortic balloon pumping, because the electrocardiogram and arterial pressure tracings are inadequate markers of the onset of diastole and systole. M-mode echocardiography provides a precise marker of aortic valve opening and closure, as well as balloon motion, and allows accurate timing by real-time adjustment of balloon inflation to diastole and deflation to systole.