Evaluation of conventional circulatory assist devices. Intraaortic balloon pumping, venoarterial bypass, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to reveal the limitations and problems with the conventional mechanical circulatory assist devices by analyzing the results in 70 cases; intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP group, n = 42), venoarterial bypass pumping (VAB group, n = 18), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO group, n = 10). The IABP could significantly prevent the development of postoperative low cardiac output state, and the best survival rate (62 percent) was obtained in the coronary arterial disease group. In the VAB group, eight (44 percent) cases were weaned, and four (22 percent) cases survived. These conventional assist devices could, though with limitations, certainly support the circulation and/or provide a period for it to recover, otherwise bridging the patients to new methods. The early decision not only for initiation of mechanical assist devices but also for moving to more definite procedures will improve the results with such devices.