Pressure-wave energy relationship during IABP counterpulsation in a mock circulation: changes with angle and...

Despite decades of successful clinical use of the intra aortic balloon pump (IABP), certain aspects of its operation are not yet fully understood. This work aims to investigate in vitro the mechanism underlying balloon inflation and deflation with varying assisting frequency and operating angle with respect to the horizontal, by studying the corresponding pressure and wave energy changes.

A mock circulatory system (MCS), with physiological distribution of peripheral resistance and compliance, presented a controllable test bed. We used Wave Intensity Analysis (WIA) to identify balloon-generated waves and quantify their energy. Conventional hemodynamic parameters were also calculated. Tests were repeated at varying operating angles (0°-45°), resembling the semi-recumbent position in the ICU, and at different assisting frequencies (1:1, 1:2, 1:3). Two balloons (25 cc and 40 cc in volume) were tested.

The main waves associated with counterpulsation were identified as a backward compression wave associated with balloon inflation and a backward expansion wave associated with balloon deflation. Results showed that the IABP inflation and deflation benefits are reduced with increasing angle, in terms of the size of the inflation and deflation waves as well as in terms of diastolic pressure augmentation and end-diastolic pressure reduction. Both WIA findings and pressure parameters indicated 1:1 as the most effective mode of pumping.

This study shows that, in vitro, a greater benefit of counterpulsation can be achieved in the horizontal position at 1:1 assisting frequency, with a good correlation between wave and pressure results.