Intra‐Aortic Balloon Pump Malposition Reduces Visceral Artery Perfusion in an Acute Animal Model

Visceral artery perfusion can be potentially affected by intra‐aortic balloon pump ( IABP ) catheters. We utilized an animal model to quantify the acute impact of a low balloon position on mesenteric artery perfusion. In six pigs (78 ± 7 kg), a 30‐cc IABP was placed in the descending aorta in a transfemoral procedure. The celiac artery ( CA ) and the cranial mesenteric artery ( CMA ) were surgically dissected. Transit time blood flow was measured for (i) baseline, (ii) 1:1 augmentation with the balloon proximal to the visceral arteries, and (iii) 1:1 augmentation with the balloon covering the visceral arteries. Blood flow in the CMA and CA was reduced by 17 and 24%, respectively, when the balloon compromised visceral arteries compared with a position above the visceral arteries (flow in mL/min: CMA : (i) 1281 ± 512, (ii) 1389 ± 287, (iii) 1064 ± 276, P  < 0.05 for 3 vs. 1 and 3 vs. 2; CA : (i) 885 ± 370, (ii) 819 ± 297, (iii) 673 ± 315; P  < 0.05 for 3 vs. 1). The covering of visceral arteries by an IABP balloon causes a significant reduction of visceral artery perfusion; thus, the positioning of this device during implantation is critical for obtaining a satisfactory outcome.