In today's episode, we discuss almost everything you could want to know about intra-aortic balloon pumps with special guest, Dr Ivan Rapchuk.

In part 2 of this series, we talk about which patients benefit most from balloon pumps, optimal and suboptimal balloon timing, and those things to be mindful of when anaesthetising a patient with a balloon pump in situ. Lastly, we have a brief chat about the similarities and differences between intra-aortic balloon pumps and the newer Impella devices. 

Feel free to email us at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. We love hearing from you!

Thanks for listening, and happy studying.

Resources for today's episode:

Principles of intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation by M. Krishna and K. Zacharowski.
https://academic.oup.com/bjaed/article/9/1/24/466259

The normal IABP waveform:
https://derangedphysiology.com/main/required-reading/cardiothoracic-intensive-care/Chapter%206.3.4/normal-iabp-waveform

The abnormal IABP waveform:
https://derangedphysiology.com/main/required-reading/cardiothoracic-intensive-care/Chapter%206.3.4.2/pathophysiology-abnormal-iabp-arterial-waveforms

The Impella Device: historical background, clinical applications and future directions by J. Glazier and A. Kaki.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6679960/

Youtube video illustrating how an Impella works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhWB7T5QxMI 

Feel free to email us at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. We love hearing from you!

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Thanks for listening, and happy studying!