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The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
Published on: February 5, 2021
The abdominal circulatory pump
Andrea Aliverti1, Dario Bovio, Irene Fullin
1Dipartimento di Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy. andrea.aliverti@polimi.it
Plos One
|May 15, 2009
Summary
Blood shifts between the trunk and extremities during breathing and abdominal pressure changes. This splanchnic blood flow is crucial for exercise and could aid circulation during cardiac arrest.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- The splanchnic vasculature serves as a significant blood reservoir.
- Blood volume redistribution between the trunk and extremities influences overall circulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify blood volume shifts between the trunk and extremities.
- To investigate the impact of breathing and abdominal muscle contractions on splanchnic blood flow.
- To explore the potential of abdominal compression as an auxiliary cardiac pump.
Main Methods:
- Utilized optoelectronic plethysmography to measure trunk volume changes.
- Employed whole-body plethysmography to assess total body volume changes.
- Simultaneously measured trunk and body volumes during diaphragm and abdominal muscle contractions.
Main Results:
- Tidal breathing resulted in a blood volume shift (Vbs) of 50-75 ml, with an ejection fraction of 4-6% and output of 750-1500 ml/min.
- Abdominal pressure increases caused rapid splanchnic emptying (up to 650 ml) with time constants of ~0.6 sec.
- Splanchnic emptying can abolish pressure gradients, leading to blood pooling in the legs.
Conclusions:
- Blood volume shifts (Vbs) are significant during breathing and abdominal pressure changes.
- Increased Vbs enhances locomotor muscle perfusion during exercise.
- Timed abdominal compression could generate substantial blood flow, potentially acting as an auxiliary heart during asystolic cardiac arrest.
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