ISSN:
1741-0444
Keywords:
Counterpulsation
;
Intra-aortic balloon pump
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The performance of intra-aortic balloon pumping is assessed on the basis of a mock circulation and a theoretical model of arterial pulse propagation. The parameters investigated include timing of onset and speed of inflation and deflation as well as pumped air volume. The models used do not contain any active peripheral elements with regulatory capabilities and so the simulated heart adjusts its stroke volume mechanically according to the operating conditions. The observed and calculated changes of typical quantities in terms of ‘stroke’ volume, ‘LV’, ‘aortic’ and ‘peripheral’ pressures are to be attributed, therefore, to the influence of the mechanical pump operation without physiological reactions of the circulatory system as a whole. It is found that timing details of the counterpulsation have a minor influence on the overall mechanical pump performance. Accordingly, the influence of physiological reactions of the cardiovascular system to changes in pump operation seems to be far more important than the one caused by the purely mechanical changes themselves. However, rapid inflation and deflation of the balloon may be accompanied by severe opening or closing shocks, respectively.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02442260
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