Case report Intra-aortic balloon pump as a effecitve bridging therapy to coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with myocardial infarction and recurrent pulmonary edema

Abstract

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is the most frequently used device for mechanical circulation support. We report a case of a 65-year-old female patient with myocardial infarction complicated by recurrent pulmonary edema. We decided to use long-term IABP despite lack of clear indication for this therapy, what enable us to stabilise hemodynamic state of our patient and perform coronary artery bypass grafting. Indications for this procedure and risk of long-term conterpulsation is discussed.