Intravenous balloon pumping for acute right ventricular failure

A patient with acute right ventricular failure and severe hemodynamic instability following coronary artery revascularization was treated with intra-aortic and intravenous balloon pumping. The intravenous balloon was timed to inflate during diastole and deflate during systole as did the intra-aortic balloon; in fact, the two were connected to the same system through a Y-connector. The intravenous balloon acted as an artificial atrium, which allowed approximately 20% improvement in the cardiac output when this intravenous balloon was functioning. Hemodynamic stability was achieved with this system. Intravenous balloon pumping should be considered for patients with unstable hemodynamics secondary to acute right ventricular failure.