An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a device that helps your heart pump better. It's used most often when your heart is not able to pump enough blood for your body (heart failure). This pump eases the workload on the heart. The therapy may be used when you are waiting for a heart transplant.
An IABP has several parts. One part is a thin, flexible tube (catheter). The catheter is put in a large artery either in your groin or your arm. For the arm version (axillary), the IABP is placed in a large artery in the arm (axillary artery). The tip of the catheter has a long balloon (intra-aortic balloon). The balloon is inserted into the very large artery (aorta) that leaves your heart. The other end of the catheter is outside your body. It attaches to a computer. The computer tells the balloon to fill (inflate) or deflate at the right time when your heart beats.
When the heart relaxes, the balloon inflates. When the heart squeezes (contracts), the balloon deflates. This allows the heart to pump more blood out to the body, but it uses less energy. The device continues to inflate and deflate until it’s removed.
Why axillary IABP is done
Axillary IABP therapy is most often used for a short time to support the heart. Or it's used as a bridge to therapy while waiting for a left ventricular assist device or a transplanted heart. It's used when medicines and other treatments have not worked well.
Waiting for a heart transplant might take a while. Axillary IABP therapy can help your heart pump better during this wait time. It can also help keep you moving. You can sit up, get out of bed, and walk around. That way, when a heart becomes available, you’ll be in better physical shape for the surgery.
How axillary IABP is done
You will likely have the axillary IABP placed in the cardiac cath (catheterization) lab. Most often, the healthcare provider uses the left arm. You will get local anesthesia to numb the skin where the catheter will be placed. You may also get some medicine through an IV line to relax you. You’ll be drowsy but awake.
The provider puts a needle through the skin. Then they thread the catheter into the artery using ultrasound to guide it. X-ray images are then used to place the balloon in the correct position. Once in place, the provider stitches the catheter to the skin and uses a special device to keep it in place. Then, the catheter is connected to the computer. A dressing is placed over the site.
Risks of axillary IABP
Axillary IABP therapy can be very helpful. It can sometimes even be life-saving. But it does have some risks. These include:
-
Catheter coming out of position
-
Severe bleeding
-
Injury to the axillary artery
-
Infection
-
Damage from the lack of blood flow to the arm (ischemia). This can happen if the tubing and pump block blood flow through the artery they are inserted into. If this is prolonged, it can lead to loss of function of the limb, or the limb itself.
-
Nerve injury in the arm
-
Balloon rupture
-
Stroke
Your risks depend on your age and your overall health. Talk with your healthcare provider about which risks apply to you. Also talk with your provider about any concerns you have. Your family or the person named to make healthcare decisions for you may need to talk with your provider if you are too ill to speak with them.
Date Last Reviewed: 09/01/2023
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Related Articles
Having Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery is a type of heart surgery. The surgery is done to bypass a blocked area in a coronary artery.
Understanding Left Ventricular Assist Devices
A ventricular assist device (VAD) helps the heart pump blood throughout your body. This device connects to one or both of the ventricles of your heart.
Understanding Endovascular Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Endovascular repair is a type of treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An AAA is a bulge in the wall of the large artery below your heart.
Congenital Pulmonary Stenosis Surgery
Congenital pulmonary stenosis is when the pulmonary valve doesn't fully open. This health problem is present from birth. Congenital pulmonary stenosis surgery aims to fix this problem. It is a type of open heart surgery.