Combined intraaortic balloon counterpulsation with synchronized coronary venous retroperfusion: The united states experience

Prompted by severe cardiogenic shock, impending or manifest, three cases from the United States Retroperfusion Clinical Trials utilized intraaortic balloon counterpulsation combined with retroperfusion. Temporary stabilization and improvement was noted in all three cases and long-term survival was seen in two of the cases. The clinical and physiologic bases for combined use of these modalities is discussed. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.