Long intraaortic balloon treatment time leads to more vascular complications

Perfusionist removal of intra-aortic balloon pump catheters improves efficiency without an increase in complication rates

INTRODUCTION

The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is one of the most utilized cardiac assist devices. Patients receiving IABP therapy are typically managed in high acuity clinical care areas with limited bed space and high demand. Our center instituted a certified clinical perfusionist (CCP) led initiative to remove IABP catheters in order to reduce IABP therapy time, hasten removal and improve efficiency.

METHODS

The purpose of the study is to compare outcomes for IABP removal by a certified clinical perfusionist to a physician. The primary outcome measures were site hematoma score and limb related complications. A survey was submitted to bedside nurses, managers/patient care coordinators, CCP's and physicians. The IABP quality assurance database was interrogated for the study.

RESULTS

There were 350 patients eligible for inclusion. The cohort was well balanced between CCP (n = 284) and physician (n = 66) groups for patient demographics, indication, insertion specifics and type of medical intervention. The majority of patients had no bruise or hematoma with perfusionist (n = 246, 87%) or physician (n = 58, 88%) (p = 0.78) removal. The physician group demonstrated a higher rate of grade 3 hematomas (p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference between CCP and physician groups for limb complications and mortality. Survey results showed an improved efficiency in bed space allocation, physician workload and a decreased IABP support time.

CONCLUSION

There is no difference in limb complications between perfusionist and physician removal of IABP catheters. The survey demonstrate an improvement in resource allocation and efficiency. A perfusionist led IABP removal program can be done safely and may help improve program efficiency.

Discrepancy between two invasive blood pressure measurements in patients receiving intra-aortic balloon pump therapy

BACKGROUND

Hemodynamic monitoring is imperative for patients with cardiogenic shock undergoing Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) therapy. Blood pressure monitoring encompasses non-invasive, invasive peripheral arterial pressure (IPAP), and invasive central aortic pressure (ICAP) methods. However, marked disparities exist between IPAP and ICAP. This study examined the discrepancies between IPAP and ICAP and their clinical significance.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on cardiogenic shock patients who underwent IABP therapy and were admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of a tertiary hospital in China from March 2017 to November 2022. The Bland-Altman plot illustrated the discrepancy between IPAP and ICAP. A clinically significant difference between ICAP and IPAP measurements was defined as ≥ 10 mmHg, which could necessitate alterations in blood pressure management according to current guidelines that recommend maintaining a mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥ 70 mmHg.

RESULTS

In total, 162 patients were included in the final analysis. In patients without vasopressors, the difference between ICAP and IPAP was 5.73 mmHg (95% limits of agreement [LOA], -16.98 to 28.44), whereas, in patients with vasopressors, it was 4.36 mmHg (95% LOA, -17.31 to 26.03). ICAP measurements exceeded IPAP in patients undergoing IABP therapy. However, the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that higher serum lactate levels (Odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.27; p = 0.013) and age ≥ 60 years (OR, 13.20; 95% CI, 1.50-115.51; p = 0.020) were associated with an increased likelihood of a clinically significant MAP discrepancy. Conversely, a history of coronary heart disease was associated with a decreased likelihood (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13-0.90; p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Notable discrepancies between ICAP and IPAP measurements exist in cardiogenic shock patients undergoing IABP therapy. ICAP exceeds IPAP, and factors such as age ≥ 60 years, elevated lactic acid levels, and absence of coronary heart disease contribute to this discrepancy. Enhanced vigilance is warranted for these patients, and the consideration of peripheral invasive monitoring in conjunction with IABP therapy is advised.

A case of ultra-prolonged intra-aortic balloon pump support via sheathless femoral access

Background

An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a mechanical circulatory support platform with a relatively low complication rate. Axillary access is increasingly utilized to allow rehabilitation.

Case summary

We present a case of femoral IABP inserted into the femoral artery percutaneously via a sheathless technique that allowed the patient to ambulate and physically rehabilitate over 102 days until cardiac transplantation. The patient was able to progress with the protocolized rehabilitation programme to up to 3500 ft walking distance. The IABP was removed at the time of transplantation without any vascular complications.

Discussion

While axillary IABP offers an opportunity to rehabilitate, it has an unacceptably high complication rate, often resulting in vascular injury that adds morbidity to an acutely ill cohort. In this case, we found that sheathless femoral IABP access offered stability for a prolonged time while avoiding pain, bleeding, infection, and vascular injury. We hypothesize that this is due to less indwelling prosthetic material usage and also device flexibility, allowing conformation to the natural course of the femoral artery. We are encouraged by this case to use a sheathless access approach for patients expected to require prolonged IABP support.

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure With Hypoperfusion: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Practice

Trials on intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use in cardiogenic shock related to acute myocardial infarction have shown disappointing results. The role of IABP in cardiogenic shock treatment remains unclear, and new (potentially more potent) mechanical circulatory supports with arguably larger device profile are emerging. A reappraisal of the physiological premises of intra-aortic counterpulsation may underpin the rationale to maintain IABP as a valuable therapeutic option for patients with acute decompensated heart failure and tissue hypoperfusion. Several pathophysiological features differ between myocardial infarction- and acute decompensated heart failure-related hypoperfusion, encompassing cardiogenic shock severity, filling status, systemic vascular resistances rise, and adaptation to chronic (if preexisting) left ventricular dysfunction. IABP combines a more substantial effect on left ventricular afterload with a modest increase in cardiac output and would therefore be most suitable in clinical scenarios characterized by a disproportionate increase in afterload without profound hemodynamic compromise. The acute decompensated heart failure syndrome is characterized by exquisite afterload-sensitivity of cardiac output and may be an ideal setting for counterpulsation. Several hemodynamic variables have been shown to predict response to IABP within this scenario, potentially guiding appropriate patient selection. Finally, acute decompensated heart failure with hypoperfusion may frequently represent an end stage in the heart failure history: IABP may provide sufficient hemodynamic support and prompt end-organ function recovery in view of more definitive heart replacement therapies while preserving ambulation when used with a transaxillary approach.

Safe Ambulation of Critically Ill Cardiac Patients With Femoral Balloon Pumps: A Case Cohort Study

We sought to demonstrate the safety of ambulation of patients with intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs) inserted via the femoral approach in the setting of 1 cardiovascular surgical intensive care unit and 1 cardiac care unit. We studied 70 patients who had received femoral IABPs at our institution between December 2015 and June 2019 and who met standardized criteria for ambulation. These patients underwent initial standing trials with a specialty standing bed/tilt table and progressed to standing exercises and, ultimately, to ambulation (defined as covering a distance of at least 10 feet) with the physical therapist. A total of 323 sessions of ambulation were successfully performed in 70 patients with IABPs inserted via the femoral approach, for an average of 4.61 sessions per patient. The average ambulation session time was 45 minutes (3-62 minutes, covering a median distance of 420 ft [805 IQR]). Complications were defined as major or minor and were monitored for during and after ambulation. Major complications included limb ischemia, arterial dissection, aortic aneurysm, balloon rupture, significant hemodynamic compromise, and death. Minor complications included balloon migration, infection, paresthesia, changes in balloon augmentation, and hematoma at insertion site. No major complications were associated with ambulation, and only 11 minor complications were observed. The total complication rate was 3.40% for all ambulation sessions. Ambulation of selected patients with femoral IABPs appears to be a safe activity when using the enclosed protocol and selection process. Future studies are required to show that such activities decrease muscle deconditioning in these patients and enhance recovery.

Vascular complications following intra-aortic balloon pump implantation: an updated review

Background:

The use of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) as a support device remains controversial due to the fact that a number of studies have shown no benefit in end mortality whilst using this device. One of the reasons for this could be the increase in vascular complications when using the pump. Therefore, the aim of the present review was to assess the current literature available with regards to IABP vascular complications during the clinical situation.

Methods:

A literature search was performed, searching for IABP complications in adult human studies between 1990 and 2016.

Results:

A total of 20 reports were identified as fitting the criteria of this study. The majority of vascular complications were limb ischemia, bleeding or mesenteric ischemia. The overall incidence of vascular complications ranged from 0.94% to 31.1%. Diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and hypertension, as well as smoking were all identified as risk factors for complications following IABP. Furthermore, studies supported the use of sheathless balloon insertion to reduce the risk of complications.

Conclusion:

Major vascular complications, including limb and mesenteric ischemia as well as bleeding and hemorrhage, have been associated with IABP. However, the incidence of these complications was generally low. Further studies are still required to truly understand the risk/benefit associated with the use of IABP.

Twenty-year route of prevalence of risk factors, treatment patterns, complications, and mortality rate of acute myocardial infarction in Iran

OBJECTIVES

Coronary artery diseases are regarded as the main cause of mortality in most countries. The present study aims at evaluating variations and studying its complications in Iranian patients within past 20 years.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analytical-descriptive study retrospectively evaluated the files of 600 patients with acute myocardial infarction during a 20-year period. Basic data and laboratory information, chemotherapies and intervention treatments of patients were registered in special forms and compared regarding the mentioned time intervals.

RESULTS

There were 440 (73.3%) male and 160 (26.7%) female patients and mean age of the patients was 60.03 ± 11.61 years. Mean duration of hospitalization (p < 0.001) and prevalence of smoking (p < 0.001) had significantly decreased in the past two decades. There was no meaningful difference when considering mortality rate (p = 0.533) and cardiac insufficiency (p = 0.403).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate prominent improvement in the management process of patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction within the past 20 years.