IABP placement

An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a small balloon placed inside the aorta, the body’s main artery. It helps your heart move blood to the rest of your body and gives the heart muscle a chance to recover.

Step by step

What happens during IABP placement

Most patients are placed in the cardiac catheterization lab or the intensive care unit. Here is the path from start to finish.

Good to know: the balloon only provides support for a short time while your heart recovers or treatment takes effect.

Preparation

You receive monitoring leads, IV access, and medicine for comfort. The skin over the groin is cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic.

Insertion

Using X-ray or ultrasound guidance, your cardiologist passes the deflated balloon catheter into an artery in the groin and advances it into the upper descending aorta.

Pumping in sync with your heart

The pump console reads your heart rhythm. The balloon inflates between beats, which improves blood flow to the heart muscle, and deflates just before the next beat, which lowers the effort your heart needs to push blood out.

Monitoring in the ICU

Nurses check your blood pressure, heart rhythm, leg circulation, and insertion site often. You will rest with the affected leg kept straight while the pump is in place.

Weaning and removal

When your heart is strong enough, the team slowly reduces the pump’s support. The catheter is then removed, and pressure is held on the site until bleeding stops.

Who it helps

When an IABP may be recommended

Your care team may suggest a balloon pump when the heart cannot keep up with your body’s needs, for a short time.

Heart attack with weak pumping

When a large heart attack leaves the heart muscle too weak to circulate enough blood, an IABP can reduce strain while treatment takes effect.

Cardiogenic shock

If blood pressure falls dangerously low because the heart is failing, the pump helps maintain blood flow to vital organs.

High-risk procedures

Some patients receive an IABP before or during stenting or bypass surgery to protect the heart during the procedure.

Heart valve or structural complications

When a problem such as severe valve leakage develops after a heart attack, an IABP can stabilize you until definitive repair.

Chest pain that medicine does not control

For severe unstable angina, the pump can improve blood flow to the heart until a procedure can be done.

Heart rhythm problems caused by poor blood flow

When the heart is not getting enough blood, it can develop dangerous rhythms. An IABP can improve blood flow to the heart muscle and help steady it while the cause is treated.

Questions about IABP placement? Talk to our team.

If you or a family member may need heart support, our cardiologists will explain your options in plain language.

Insurance and billing

We work with many health plans so you can focus on your recovery. Our billing team will check your coverage and explain your costs before and after care.