Hira Ijaz

Prophylactic use of a preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Objective The aim of this work was to study the effectiveness of preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Materials and methods We studied 80 consecutive patients of both sexes undergoing elective on-pump CABG having an ejection fraction less than 30%. Thirty patients received preoperative IABP support prophylactically, whereas 50 patients did not. The decision to put an IABP was made by the individual surgeon operating the patient. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were recorded and 30 days′ follow-up was obtained. Results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results Fifty one patients (63.7%) were male while 29 (36.25%) were female with a mean age of 55.62 ΁ 9.65 years. Patients who received preoperative IABP had high in-hospital mortality (P = 0.002) and decreased rate of postoperative acute kidney injury (P = 0.048), ICU stay (P = 0.031) and less requirement for postoperative inotropic support (P = 0.047) compared to those who did not receive IABP preoperatively. Conclusion The prophylactic use of IABP in patients with a low ejection fraction undergoing CABG does not decrease the mortality, but it has a favorable effect on postoperative major complications.