Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Insertion

Intra-aortic balloon pump insertion is a small device inserted by the doctors. The purpose of its insertion is to sustain heart health of the patients who have experienced cardiac arrest and heart surgery. This device is inserted in the aorta artery (largest blood vessel) of the heart during the surgery through the peripheral artery, and placed in the descending aorta. Once the insertion is completed, the balloon gets inflated and deflated in time along with the heartbeat.

It helps to increase enough blood flow to the heart while diastole and lessens the strain on the heart. The device gets smaller when the heart pumps well and gets bigger while the heart relaxes. Hence, the more blood retained in the heart. This surgical procedure is an effective treatment for those patients who are at high-risk of heart diseases and heart attack.

How Does IABP Work?

An IABP is a short-term treatment procedure used to improve the patient’s heart health. It is an effective method to improve the heart condition until the patient gets more appropriate treatment. In this therapy, a balloon is inserted in the body, whose prime work is to inflate when the heart is relaxed. It also pushes blood flow to arteries that are not getting enough blood without the pump support.

In the meantime, when the heart contracts, the balloon deflates. As a result it successfully lets the heart pump out more blood to the other body organs. The device constantly continues to inflate and deflate till it is removed. The IABP procedure allows blood flow more effortlessly into the heart’s arteries and supports heart functioning.

Cost of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Insertion Treatment

IABP Insertion treatment cost may vary depending on the condition and therapy/surgery process. A doctor recommends an IABP procedure to the patient who have been experiencing below mentioned conditions these are as follows:

• Heart defects
• Cardiac surgery
• Congestive Heart failure
• Cardiogenic shock
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Unstable angina
• Valve dysfunction
• Myocarditis
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Arrhythmic

However, the patients who have heart-related issues such as aortic aneurysms, aortic dissection, peripheral artery disease, and uncontrolled sepsis are not suitable for an Intra-Aortic balloon pump because of further health risks.

Potential Risks Associated with IABP

Although it is life saving procedure that promises to sustain heart health, however there some risks factors associated with IAMP. These are as follows:

• An injury to the artery
• Infection
• Stroke
• Other medical concerns
• Age
• Rupture of balloon
• Heart damage from the lack of blood flow 
• Incorrect implantation of balloon 
• Low platelet counts
• Bleeding

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Insertion Procedure In India

While performing or placing the balloon pump the operating doctors takes certain steps that are mentioned below:

• A medical expert gives an anesthesia short to the patient to make him relaxed. After that, the surgeon starts to watch heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs before starting the procedure.
• Once all done, a doctor starts to insert a hollow tube known as catheter into an artery in the leg.
• After that, they thread the balloon with the help of a catheter to guide the balloon.
• During the entire process the doctors use X-ray images to properly implant the balloon to the aorta.
• The medical professionals linked the Intra-Aortic balloon pump to a machine that informs the balloon when to inflate and deflate.
• Lastly, they close the incisions that are made on the leg to insert the catheter.

Advantages of IABP

The IAMP procedure involves vital benefits that are mentioned below:

• Improve heart rate
• Increase blood circulation in the heart
• Reduce the risk of cardiac attack
• Overcome the feeling in heart
• Ensure well being of the patients
• Reduce the risk of arter-related issues 

Post IABP Therapy-Effects and Precautions

The following precautions are need to be taken care by the healthcare provider and the patient after the balloon implantation is done which are as follows:

• Oftentimes, a patient may feel light pain in the chest, but it will go away within a few minutes.
• A healthcare provider will monitor your condition to closely examine the pump effects and prescribe blood thinner medications, which aids to prevent blood clotting.
• The doctor might also temporarily turn off the pump to see how the body responds.
• A medical professional suggests you to follow some instructions about what to expect after the surgery.
• Right after IABP procedure, if you experience heart palpation, swelling, fever, redness, and itchiness near incisions area, immediately contact the consulted doctor.
• Mostly it took a few days to recover however every patient’s condition varies so it might take a 30-day longer period to recover. However, it is a safest treatment option that helps to improve blood flow into the heart.