Angiology
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The authors report a successful application of hypothermia, along with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support, to postcardiotomy ventricular failure. Surface-cooling hypothermia was applied in 8 patients after open heart surgery. The original cardiac procedure consisted of 3 aortocoronary bypass graftings (ACBGs), 2 aortic valve replacements (AVRs), 1 repair for left ventricular (LV) rupture after mitral valve replacement (MVR), 1 MVR + ACBG, and 1 MVR + AVR + tricuspid valve annuloplasty (TAP). ⋯ All 8 patients finally discontinued IABP support with a mean driving time of one hundred thirty-two hours. Five of them were ultimately discharged from the hospital and returned to their previous life-style. The authors believe that, from the perspective of monetary and personal resources, the use of hypothermia with IABP support could be a therapeutic option for patients with postcardiotomy ventricular failure.