Intra-aortic counterpulsation does not improve coronary flow early after PCI in a high-risk group of patients: observations from a randomized trial to explore its mode of action.

Abstract

Whether an IABP is of any benefit in non-shocked, but high-risk, patients undergoing PCI remains to be established, but any potential benefit does not appear to be associated with early improvement in coronary flow. Whether the insertion of an IABP improves coronary flow beyond 10 minutes is not known. However, the IABP did not significantly affect subsequent left ventricular wall motion index or ECG ST-segment resolution in this study.