Aortic Root Balloon Pumping (A.R.B.P.): Experimental Study and Theoretical Rationale

We propose A.R.B.P. as a means for treatment of acute myocardial infarction, severe angina pectoris and impending myocardial infarction. We have studied the effect of Aortic Root Balloon Pumping on experimental cardiogenic shock. On the basis of these limited study, we believe that aortic root balloon pumping can play the therapeutic role required for the treatment of coronary circulatory failure which develops early in the course of acute myocardial infarction.²¹⁾This variation of balloon pumping is superior to counterpulsation and other balloon pumping procedure, when absolute increase in coronary flow is the sole intention. The dramatic effect on experimentally induced cardiogenic shock supports our belief that 1) the A.R.B.P. provides the pressure gradient required to overcome the collaterals critical opening pressure and thus 2) it establishes circulation through these channels to the ischemic area, fast, before irreversible pathological changes occur. A.R.B.P. fills the time lag and in contrast to drug therapy, it resolves the contradictory role which the hemodynamic and the metabolic factors come to play in the course of acute myocardial infarction. This would check the start of the vicious cycle which would otherwise set in.