Wednesday January 3, 2007

Case: Patient is on IABP (intra-aortic baloon pump) with 1:1 ratio and rhythm is atrial fibrillation. Patient went into RVR (rapid ventricular rate) at 180 beats/min. What should be your adjustment for IABP?


Answer: Decrease ratio to 1:2

IABP are incapable of inflation and deflation rapidly to accomodate heart rate beyound 150. Better augmentation can be obtained by decreasing the ratio to 1:2 till situation improve.