An IABP is an 8.5 to 9.5 French dual-lumen catheter with a 40 to 60 mL helium-filled balloon attached at its tip that used to assist the heart. The IABP provides diastolic counterpulsation, decreasing systolic afterload to cardiac ejection and increasing coronary perfusion pressure.

References

• González LS, Chaney MA. Intraaortic balloon pump counterpulsation, part I: history, technical aspects, physiologic effects, contraindications, medical applications/outcomes. Anesth Analg. 2020;131:776-791.
• Parissis H, Graham V, Lampridis S, et al. IABP: history-evolution-pathophysiology-indications: what we need to know. J Cardiothorac Surg. 2016;11:122.