Background: Preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is usually used to improve myocardial perfusion by
increasing coronary blood flow during diastole with optimal timing. Its use has debatable outcomes in cases with impaired function and need of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the early use of IABP preoperatively and the predictors in cases with severe to
moderate impaired left ventricular (LV) function undergoing CABG, focusing on the outcomes.
Patients and Methods: This study enrolled 129 patients who underwent CABG with moderate to severe depressed LV
function. Depending on the preoperative LV function, the patients were classified into two groups. Group I: n=49 cases
who had their ejection fraction less than 35%, and it was subdivided into subgroups: (A) (n=26 who had preoperative
IABP inserted for them) and (B) (n=23 who did not receive IABP preoperative). Group II: n=80 cases who had ejection
fraction greater than or equal to 35%, and it was subdivided into subgroups (C) n=11 who received preoperative IABP and (D) (n=69 who did not receive preoperative IABP.
Results: Morbidity, mortality rate, and incidence of complications showed significant improvement in patients who
had IABP inserted for them compared with those who did not receive IABP preoperatively. In multivariant analysis,
preoperative IABP was an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality after CABG. Meanwhile, low platelet
count was an independent risk factor for the development of complications (odds ratio: 0.975, 95% confidence interval:
0.956–0.993, P=0.007) and preoperative elevation of serum creatinine level was a significant risk factor for mortality
(odds ratio: 1.007, 95% confidence interval: 1.000–1.014, P=0.050).
Conclusion: Among patients who underwent CABG with moderately and severely impaired LV function, preoperative
insertion of IABP improves postoperative outcome.