The intraaortic counterpulsation balloon in cardiac surgery. The importance of opportune indication.

The results with the use of this device in patients who develop Low Cardiac Output Syndrome after cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation are analyzed. Special emphasis is given to the development of the opportune indication of this procedure, on the basis of a comparison of the results of the first few years to the most recent ones. Finally, the advantages of the prophylactic use of the Intraaortic Balloon Pump are commented.