Preclinical evaluation of intra-aortic balloon pumping for pediatric use

Small intra-aortic balloons (0.75 ml to 5.0 ml) mounted on small catheters (4.0F and 5.0F) have undergone in vitro testing with the Utah Heart Driver and in vivo evaluation with 3 different pumping modules. In small animals with reduced cardiac output from acutely produced mitral regurgitation, intra-aortic balloon pumping effectively reduced aortic peak systolic pressure, lowered aortic end-diastolic pressure and reduced left atrial pressure. In addition, the Datascope system most effectively augmented diastolic pressure and increased aortic forward and negative flow as compared with 2 other pumping modules. The total system has been adequately and experimentally evaluated and is ready for clinical use in infants and small children.