Intra-aortic balloon pump during the perioperative period of high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: a clinical study

AIM:To study the clinical experience of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) during the perioperative period in high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: A total of 34 extreme high-risk patients who underwent CABG combined with IABP support from July 2005 to January 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: preoperative group (21 cases) and passive group (13 cases). The rate of mortality, IABP support time, extracorporeal circulation (CPB) time, respiratory support time and ICU stay were compared between groups. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality in the preoperative group was lower than that in the passive group (6% vs. 31%) without statistical significance (P=0.11). Compared with those in the passive group, IABP support time and respiratory support time decreased significantly in preoperative group (both P<0.05) ［(32±18) h vs.(55±22) h; (122±37) min vs.(167±74) min; (36±18) h vs.(60±22) h］. No significant difference in ICU stay was found between groups (P>0.05) ［(52±13) h vs.(57±21) h］. CONCLUSION: For high-risk CABG patients, preoperative prophylactic application of IABP could decrease the perioperative mortality rate and reduce IABP support time, CPB time and respiratory support time. When high-risk patients with coronary disease are treated with CABG, the indications for IABP support should be expanded.