Arterial elastance modulation by intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in patients with acute decompensated heart failure and low-output state.

: Heart failure is characterized by ventriculo-arterial decoupling which decreases myocardial efficiency and is exacerbated by tachycardia and by increased total peripheral resistance that worsen static arterial elastance; unlike aortic pressure by itself, this measure is independent of the function of the ventricle. Therefore, it is an index which describes arterial properties.We investigated the effect of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation on arterial elastance, a variable which can be obtained non-invasively, in patients with acute decompensated heart failure deteriorated in low output state.17 out of 24 patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure underwent intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation insertion for hemodynamic worsening condition despite medical therapy.Hemodynamic variables were obtained with a pulmonary artery catheter; arterial elastance and cardiac power index were calculated.Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation was associated with a decrease of the arterial elastance median value (1.64 vs. 1.28 mmHg/ml- P = 0.04) along withan increase in cardiac power index (0.29, vs 0.40, W/m; P = 0.02 ). Mixed venous saturation (53 mmHg, vs 70 mmHg; P = 0.007) and pulmonary mean arterial pressure (41 vs 30 mmHg; P = 0.005) significantly changed after intraortic balloon counterpulsation insertion. No significant changes in heart rate (median 80, vs 80, bpm; P = 0.809) were observed.Intraortic balloon counterpulsation may effectively improve arterial elastance on top of a conservative use of inotropes/vasopressors, with a significant improvement in hemodynamics.