Nursing Management of Patients Requiring Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices.

TOPIC: The growing use of acute mechanical circulatory support devices to provide hemodynamic support that has accompanied the increasing prevalence of heart failure and cardiogenic shock, despite significant improvement in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The critical care nurse plays a crucial role in managing patients receiving acute mechanical circulatory support devices and monitoring for potential complications. PURPOSE: To review the anatomical placement and mechanics of each type of device so that nurses can anticipate patients' hemodynamic responses and avoid complications whenever possible, thereby improving patients' clinical outcomes. CONTENT COVERED: Nursing considerations regarding the intra-aortic balloon pump, the TandemHeart, the Impella, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Impact of the Change in ESC Guidelines on Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Cardiogenic Shock Patients Receiving IABP Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation provides mechanical support for patients with cardiogenic shock. The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock receiving IABP before and after the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) downgraded the use of IABP from a class I to a class IIb in 2012. METHODS: Data was obtained from the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey (ACSIS) registry, a prospective observational national survey conducted once every two years. From a total of 15,200 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 524 patients were identified with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)-complicated with cardiogenic shock. The groups were further subdivided based on whether the IABP was implanted before or after the change in guideline recommendation. RESULTS: The study indicates a 24% reduction in IABP use since 2002. Until 2012, a reduction in clinical outcomes including 7-days, 30-days and in-hospital mortality, was observed in patients with IABP compared to the patients with conventional therapy. Conversely, after the ESC changed the guidelines, the clinical outcomes were not improved by IABP treatment. Additionally, the conventional therapy group presented with higher baseline ejection fraction, received less effective treatment, reperfusion and/or pharmacological therapy than patients with IABP. CONCLUSION: The use of IABP as management for cardiogenic shock has diminished over time since the guidelines were modified. After the change in guidelines, the use of IABP is restricted to high-risk, severely compromised and hemodynamically deteriorated patients hence limiting beneficial outcomes.

Percutaneous mechanical circulatory support devices in high-risk patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous mechanical circulatory support devices (pMCSDs) are increasingly used on the assumption (but without solid proof) that their use will improve prognosis. A meta-analysis was undertaken according to the PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the benefits of pMCSDs in patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (hr-PCI). METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trial.gov, and other databases to identify eligible studies. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for 30-day and 6-month all-cause mortality rates, reinfarction, and other adverse events using a random effect model. RESULTS: Sixteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this study. In the pooled analysis, intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was not associated with a decrease in 30-day and 6-month all-cause mortality (RR 1.01 95% CI 0.61-1.66; RR 0.88 95% CI 0.66-1.17), reinfarction (RR 0.89 95% CI 0.69-1.14), stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) (RR 1.75 95% CI 0.47-6.42), heart failure (HF) (RR 0.54 95% CI 0.11-2.66), repeat revascularization (RR 0.73 95% CI 0.25-2.10), embolization (RR 3.00 95% CI 0.13-71.61), or arrhythmia (RR 2.81 95% CI 0.30-26.11). Compared with IABP, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) were not associated with a decrease in 30-day and 6-month all-cause mortality (RR 0.96 95% CI 0.71-1.29; RR 1.23 95% CI 0.88-1.72), reinfarction (RR 0.98 95% CI 0.68-1.42), stroke/TIA (RR 0.45 95% CI 0.1-1.95), acute kidney injury (AKI) (RR 0.83 95% CI 0.38-1.80), or arrhythmia (RR 1.52 95% CI 0.71-3.27), but LVADs were associated with a decrease in repeat revascularization (RR 0.26 95% CI 0.08-0.83). However, LVADs significantly increased the risk of bleeding compared with IABP (RR 2.85 95% CI 1.72-4.73). CONCLUSIONS: Neither LVADs nor IABP improves short or long-term survival in hr-PCI patients. LVADs are more likely to reduce repeat revascularization after PCI, but to increase the risk of bleeding events than IABP.

[Support of damaged heart with the Impella pump]. / Ondersteuning van beschadigd hart met Impella-pomp.

Temporary mechanical circulatory support is increasingly used, particularly in patients with cardiogenic shock or during high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions. In the last five years there have been numerous developments in this field. Experience has been gained from usage of temporary heart pumps, and new pumps have arrived on the market. Until recently, the intra-aortal balloon pump was the standard treatment for patients with cardiogenic shock; however, results from the latest research into the effectiveness of this pump have rendered it less popular. An alternative modality is the Impella system. Since 2012, usage of a heart pump in cardiogenic shock treatment is reimbursed by healthcare insurers in the Netherlands. Recently, the FDA approved the Impella system for said indication.

[S3-Guideline: Recommendations for intra-aortic balloon pumping in cardiac surgery]. / S3-Leitlinie "Einsatz der intraaortalen Ballongegenpulsation in der Herzchirurgie".

Although intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) is the most frequently used mechanical cardiac assist device in cardiothoracic surgery, there are only guidelines for substantive sections of aortic counterpulsation including prophylactic and postoperative use. In contrast, evidence-based recommendations are still lacking concerning intraoperative use, management, contraindication and other relevant issues. According to international surveys, important aspects of IABP usage show a wide variation in clinical practice. The results of a national questionnaire performed before initiation of this guideline confirmed these findings and demonstrated a clear need for the development of a consensus-based guideline. Therefore, the presented multidisciplinary S-3-guideline was developed under the direction of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Thorax-, Herz- und Gefäßchirurgie, DGTHG) to make evidence-based recommendations for the usage of aortic counterpulsation after cardiothoracic surgery according to the requirements of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) and the Medical Centre for Quality (Ärztliches Zentrum für Qualität - (ÄZQ)). Main topics discussed in this guideline involve IABP support in the prophylactic, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative setting as well as the treatment of right heart failure, contraindications, anticoagulation, monitoring, weaning, and limitations of IABP therapy. The presented 15 key messages of the guideline were approved after two consensus meetings under moderation of the AWMF with participation of the German Society of Cardiology (DGK), German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI), German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care (DIVI) and the German Society for Cardiovascular Engineering (DGfK).

Support with intra-aortic balloon pump vs. Impella2.5® and blood flow to the heart, brain and kidneys - an experimental porcine model of ischaemic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock as a complication to an acute myocardial infarction has an unacceptably high death rate that has not changed for the last 15years. Mortality is partly related to organ hypoperfusion and mechanical assist devices are used for the most severe cases but we do not know which assist device is the best option. Therefore, we have investigated how an IABP and an Impella®-pump influenced blood flow to the brain, heart and kidneys, in a closed-chest porcine model of severe left ventricular failure. METHODS: 13 pigs were anesthetised and left ventricular failure was induced by occluding the proximal LAD for 45min followed by 30min of reperfusion. Blood flow was measured in the carotid artery, the LAD, and the renal artery. The Impella® and IABP were inserted via the femoral arteries, and the two devices were tested individually and combined after induction of heart failure. RESULTS: Carotid- (p=0.01) and renal blood flow (p=0.045) were higher on Impella®-support, compared to no support. None of the devices altered the blood flow in the LAD. Cardiac power output (p<0.005) and left ventricular work (p<0.00) were also higher on Impella®-support compared to no support. CONCLUSION: Haemodynamics and blood flow to the brain and kidneys were significantly better on Impella®-support, suggesting that the Impella® is superior to the IABP in a state of ischaemia induced left ventricular failure. These data, however, needs to be confirmed in a proper clinical trial with patients in cardiogenic shock.

Intra-aortic balloon pump: indications, efficacy, guidelines and future directions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been used as a cardiac assist device in various clinical situations since 1968 on the basis of the physiological principles and observational data, with little randomized data until recently. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have demonstrated acceptable safety for IABP but have raised doubt over efficacy in acute myocardial infarction (MI) both with and without cardiogenic shock. RCTs and meta-analyses have provided limited and qualified support for the efficacy of IABP in high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). There remains only observational data to support the efficacy of IABP in other niche indications, including mechanical complications of MI (acute severe mitral regurgitation and ventricular septal rupture) and refractory ventricular arrhythmia. SUMMARY: Current randomized trial data and meta-analyses support the safety of IABP, but provide limited or no support for its efficacy in the treatment of high-risk MI, MI complicated by cardiogenic shock or the use of prophylactic IABP in high-risk PCI and CABG. Further studies to inform optimal patient selection, timing and use of associated therapies are required to characterize the role of IABP in contemporary practice and optimize outcome in high-risk patient subsets.

[Clinical teaching program: standardized operating procedure for intra-aortic balloon pump support].

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is one of the most important treatment strategies for patients with heart failure in the intensive care unit (ICU). To ensure quality of treatment, clinical preceptors must employ effective teaching strategies to acquaint nurses with the proper use of IABPs. Many nurses are hesitant to use IABPs due to lack of knowledge regarding their use. Classroom lectures and instruction manual-style materials are often ineffective strategies for teaching novice nurses to use IABPs properly and have resulted in unsatisfactory patient treatment quality. This study developed a creative, pithy rhyme to help nurses remember the key elements of IABP support as part of their IABP learning process. This innovative tool uses rhymes and mental images to instill critical information related to IABP use and help nurses become fluent IABP users.

[The use of preoperative intra-aortic balloon in myocardial revascularization surgery associated to severe ventricular dysfunction]. / O uso do balão intra-aórtico no pré-operatório de cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica, associada à disfunção ventricular grave.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic intra-aortic balloon (IAB) in elective myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS), to prevent trans or post-operative infarction and reduce intra-hospital mortality in patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction. METHODS: Using a cohort study model, 239 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 40%, submitted to elective MRS with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) were evaluated from March 1995 to February 2001. RESULTS: Of these, 58 patients received preoperative IAB and the remainder underwent surgery without circulatory assistance (control group). The two groups of patients had similar characteristics regarding factors associated to the pertaining outcomes. There were five demises (8.6%) in the group with IAB and 21 (11.6%) in the control group (non-significant difference). There were 2 (3.4%) infarctions in the IAB group and 28 (15.5%) in the control group (p< 0.05), relative risk of 0.22 with an interval of confidence of 95% from 0.05 to 0.85. CONCLUSION: The use of pre-operative IAB can significantly reduce the risk of trans or post-operative acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with decreased systolic function, without increasing vascular complications. In this same situation, the IAB does not significantly decrease mortality. Randomized studies are necessary to establish more precise conclusions.

O uso do balão intra-aórtico no pré-operatório de cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica, associada à disfunção ventricular grave / The use of preoperative intra-aortic balloon in myocardial revascularization surgery associated to severe ventricular dysfunction

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a efetividade do Balão Intra-Aórtico (BIAo) profilático em cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRM) eletiva, para prevenir o infarto trans ou pós-operatório e para reduzir a mortalidade intra-hospitalar nos pacientes com baixa fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda. MÉTODOS: Em modelo de estudo de coorte, foram analisados 239 pacientes com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo inferior ou igual a 40 por cento, submetidos à CRM eletiva com circulação extracorpórea (CEC), no período compreendido entre março de 1995 a fevereiro de 2001. RESULTADOS: Destes, 58 pacientes receberam BIAo pré-operatório e os demais foram operados sem assistência circulatória (grupo controle). Os dois grupos de pacientes tinham características semelhantes quanto a fatores associados aos desfechos em questão. Ocorreram 5 (8,6 por cento) óbitos no grupo com BIAo e 21 (11,6 por cento), no grupo controle (diferença não-signifícativa). Ocorreram 2 (3,4 por cento) infartos no grupo com BIAo e 28 (15,5 por cento), no grupo controle BIAo (p < 0,05), risco relativo de 0,22 com intervalo de confiança de 95 por cento de 0,05 a 0,85. CONCLUSÃO: O BIAo, em uso pré-operatório, pode reduzir de forma significativa o risco de infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) trans ou pós-operatório, em pacientes com função sistólica diminuída, sem incremento de complicações vasculares. Nesta mesma situação, o BIAo não diminui de forma significativa a mortalidade. Estudos randomizados devem ser conduzidos para se ter conclusões mais precisas.

Routine preoperative insertion of IABP in high-risk off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

The beneficial effects of intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) in coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass have been reported. However, whether preoperative insertion of IABP in high-risk off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has any beneficial effects remains to be established. We report our experience of preoperative insertion of IABP in OPCAB.

Juxtaaortic counterpulsation: comparison with intraaortic counterpulsation in an animal model of acute heart failure.

This study was designed to compare the effects of juxtaaortic balloon counterpulsation (JABC), performed in ascending aorta and the aortic arch, with those yielded by intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) in descending aorta, in experimental animals during induced cardiac failure. JABC was achieved with a manufactured Dacron prosthesis and a balloon pump placed between the prosthesis and the wrapped aorta. JABC resulted in a significant increase of cardiac output (from 2.33+/-0.82 to 2.61+/-1.12 L/min, p < 0.05), cardiac index (from 0.071+/-0.025 to 0.080+/-0.033 L/min/kg, p < 0.05) and diastolic pressure augmentation evaluated through diastolic and systolic areas beneath the aortic pressure curve (DABAC/SABAC) index (from 0.94+/-0.21 to 1.10+/-0.33, p < 0.01). End diastolic aortic pressure showed a significant decrease with JABC (from 31.90+/-7.09 to 27.83+/-9.72 mm Hg, p < 0.05). A close association between percentage of DABAC/SABAC increases obtained with IABC and JABC was observed (r2 = 0.67; p < 0.001). Counterpulsation obtained by a juxtaaortic catheter placed in the arch and the ascending wrapped aorta results in an effective hemodynamic improvement comparable with that achieved by an intraaortic catheter in open chest sheep.

[The effect and role of the intraaortic balloon pumping in off-pump coronary artery bypass].

Eighty consecutive patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) were studied. They were divided into group I (n = 10) which received preoperative intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP), and group II (n = 70) which did not receive IABP. The indications for preoperative IABP were severe left main coronary artery disease in 7 patients, severe 3 vessel disease in 3 patients, unstable angina in 5 patients, acute myocardial infarction in 3 patients. There was no operative mortality in both groups. The average number of distal anastomosis 2.7/patients in group I and 3.3/patients in group II. There was no differences in ventilator support time, length of stay in the intensive care unit and morbidity between 2 groups. The average postoperative IABP support time was 5.4 hours. There was no IABP-related complication in group I. IABP was very effective to perform OPCAB surgery safety. Preoperative IABP may be effective modality to support OPCAB surgery not only in emergent case but also in elective case.

Balón de contrapulsación intra-aórtica: colocación y cuidados / Intraaortic balloon pumping: placement and care

El artículo describe la técnica de colocación del balón de contrapulsación intra-aórtica. Asimismo, da una breve reseña histórica sobre cómo surgió: da una definición del mismo; explica las indicaciones de su colocación en base a la alteración circulatoria hemodinámica, como resultante de la hipovolemia, la sobrecarga de volumen, la isquemia miocárdica o los trastornos mecánicos; y justifica la acción rápida y eficaz de este tratamiento en la perfusión coronaria. Incluye los cuidados de enfermería