- Function of the balloon is to provide “counterpulsation” – describes the cycles of:
- Inflation in diastole
- Deflation in early systole 1
- Inflates at onset of diastole:
- Caused by delivery of a set volume of gas through pneumatic systems
- Fills 80-90% of thoracic aortic diameter causing ‘volume displacement’ of blood both proximally and distally
- Increases diastolic pressure, improving coronary and systolic perfusion
- Deflates at onset of systole, prior to ejection:
- Due to rapid removal of gas following a predetermined time interval
- Leads to an effective vacuum effect, improving blood flow down aorta
- Pressure in the balloon is measured and displayed as a waveform
