Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An intra-aortic blood pump (IABP) includes a multiple-chamber balloon disposed at the distal portion of a catheter. The chambers are inflated sequentially beginning with the most distal, i.e., the chamber closest to the aortic root. This advances the blood in the downstream direction, i.e., towards the renal arteries and the lower body, enhancing cardiac output and reducing pumping load on the left ventricle. In a preferred arrangement, the chambers can be of successively larger volume from proximal to distal, i.e., in the downstream direction. The ports or apertures that communicate gas flow between the catheter lumen and the respective chambers are sized from larger to progressively smaller in the downstream direction. Only a single lumen is needed for the drive gas, i.e., helium, and the unit can be used with existing IABP equipment.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim