Hemodynamic effects of intra-aortic balloon pump in patients with advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock waiting heart transplant

Abstract Background The use of intra-aortic ballon pump (IABP) as a bridge therapy in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) and cardiogenic shock (CS) waiting heart transplant (HTx) remains under debate. IABP can be an available device to improve hemodynamic conditions of these patients until HTx. Purpose Evaluate the hemodynamic effects of IABP and its efficacy in patients with advanced HF and CS waiting HTx. Methods We retrospectively analyzed from a single center intensive care unit, between 2009 and 2020, patients with advanced HF with optimized intravenous drugs that required IABP placement before HTx. Changes in oxygen central venous saturation (ScvO2), arterial lactate, renal function, and use of vasoactive drugs before and 96 hours after IABP insertion were evaluated. Patients with acute myocardial infarction and implant of ventricular assist device before HTx were excluded. Results A total of 199 patients (mean age 46,5 ± 12 years) were included. Median time of IABP onset to HTx was 20 days. Mean left ventricle ejection fraction was 23,5 ± 5,9%, 53,7% of patients had moderate to severe right ventricular dysfunction and the most frequent etiology was Chagas disease (47,2%, n=94). Before the IABP placement, 97,47% of patients were using dobutamine, 19,29% milrinone, 58,08% nitroprusside and 17,7% norepinephrine. Clinical and laboratory data were compared before and 96 hours after IABP therapy. ScvO2 increased from 49,9% to 66,85% (p<0,001), lactate decreased from 21,91 mg/dl to 12,6 mg/dl (p<0,001), creatinine decreased from 2,04 mg/dL to 1,72 mg/dL (p=0,301) and urine output increased from 1690,12 mL/24h to 2193,12 mL/24h (p<0,001). These differences were maintained until the day before HTx. Use of nitroprusside increased from 58,08 to 63,59% (p=0,154), and the use of norepinephrine decreased from 17,7% to 6,63% (p<0,001). Conclusion IABP improves tissue perfusion, renal function, and hemodynamic status in patients with advanced HF and CS and can be an effective method of circulatory support as a bridge therapy to HTx.Laboratory data pre and post-IABPVasoactive Drugs pre and post-IABP