Great post from @master_cardiology! ⠀ ⠀ 🔷🔷Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)🔷🔷⠀ is a mechanical device used in congestive heart failure that increases myocardial oxygen perfusion and indirectly increases cardiac output through afterload reduction. It consists of a cylindrical polyurethane balloon that sits in the aorta, approximately 2 centimeters (0.79 in) from the left subclavian artery. The balloon inflates and deflates via counter pulsation, meaning it actively deflates in systole and infl