[Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation: first clinical experiences (author's transl)]

Three cases of acute myocardial infarction treated with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) are reported. In the first patient cardiogenic shock and pulmonary oedema were the complicating features; the second one had pulmonary oedema refractory to medical treatment. Both patients promptly improved, shock and heart failure having been reverted to clinically satisfactory conditions. Nevertheless the first patient could not be weaned efficiently and died on the sixth admission day. A huge myocardial involvement was found autoptically. The second patient died on the third day mainly because of a haemorrhagic complication. The third patient started the treatment with IABP at the 68th hour because medically unresponsive left heart failure and persisting ECG signs of widespread myocardial ischemia. Improvement of haemodynamic parameters and disappearance of subepicardial lesion were achieved. Eventually this patient was discharged on the usual rehabilitation regimen.