out of the balloon with your heartbeat. ‚
The doctor may order an IABP: ‚
- If you have a weakened heart
- If you have a blocked blood vessel in your heart
- To help your heart after a heart attack
- To help your heart after surgery
- When you are going to have a procedure to open a blocked blood vessel
- While you wait for more treatment for your heart problem
What will the results be?
When the balloon blows up, your heart muscle gets more oxygen. When the balloon shrinks, it is easier for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body. This helps to protect your heart from becoming more damaged. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Most of the patients who undergo this procedure are already staying in the hospital for treatment of their condition.
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
- Any questions you might have.
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription, over the counter, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor if you have any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), Plavix ‚ ®, or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- Chest x-ray
- Echocardiogram
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Cardiac catheterization
What happens during the procedure?
- The IABP may be placed during heart surgery or in the heart lab. Sometimes, the doctor will give you a special drug to make you numb for the surgery. Other times, you are completely asleep.
- Small stickers will be placed on your chest so the doctor can see your heart rate and rhythm. Staff will watch you closely during your procedure.
- Your doctor will shave, clean, and numb the area of your upper thigh (groin). The doctors will use a needle to make a hole in the blood vessel. Then, a small wire and the balloon will be passed through it. Your doctors will carefully move the wire and balloon until they reach your big blood vessel, the aorta, near your heart. Your doctor will take great care to make sure the tip of the balloon is in the right place.
- Your doctor will take x-rays to see where the wire and balloon are located. They will put dye in the blood vessels to be able to see them better. The table may move and take pictures of your blood vessels from different angles.
- The wire is taken out and the balloon is secured in place. It is hooked to the machine that controls the timing and blowing up of the balloon.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after your procedure. The staff will watch you closely.
- You will have to rest in bed. You will not be able to sit up or get out of bed. Do not bend the leg that has the balloon pump in it. A device to keep your knee straight may remind you not to bend it.
- You may hear the pump working. There will be pauses and this is normal. You may also hear alarms. Nurses and doctors will be watching the pump closely and will check on any alarm.
What follow-up care is needed?
The staff will continue to watch you closely. You may need the IABP for a few hours or a few days. When it is no longer needed, your doctor will take out the balloon and hold pressure on the site to stop any bleeding. Your doctor will tell you when you can move around after the balloon is removed. Be sure to follow your doctors instructions. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Heart attack
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/Recognizing-Advanced-Heart-Failure-and-Knowing-Your-Options_UCM_441926_Article.jsp ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/shock/treatment.html ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/shock/printall-index.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚