Use of Intraaortic Balloon Pump in a Patient with Right Ventricular Failure after Cardiac Surgery

The intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is the most effective and widely used device for temporary mechanical assistance of left heart. Considering left and right ventricular (RV) interdependence, IABP may also alleviate predominantly RV dysfunction following cardiac surgery. This is the case of a 61-year-old female patient who had experienced RV failure after cardiac surgery. After tricuspid valve replacement, preexisting RV failure was progressively aggravated and systemic blood pressure could not be maintained in spite of aggressive pharmacological support on second postoperative day. Thus, mechanical support with IABP was considered to increase coronary perfusion pressure in this case. IABP dramatically improved hemodynamics and cardiac function. It was removed on fifth postoperative day and she has remained well. In conclusion, IABP could play a role in RV failure following cardiac surgery and timely treatment of the heart failure with mechanical circulatory assistance would prevent further complications.ope