[Nursing care in the contrapulsation balloon implantation, maintenance and withdrawal]

Intraaortic pump is used as a mechanical circulatory support device for patients with heart failure by means of a lot of causes. Because it requires constant attention is used mainly in intensive care units. By inflating and deflating intraaortic balloon increases flow to coronary circulation and relieves some of the hearts workload. A good synchronization between counterpulsation and the patients heartbeat is very important. Nursing cares during this process tries to prevent complications originated by the device: blood clots, haemorrhage, visceral or limb ischemia, risk of infection.