J Cardiovasc Surg
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The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is an established additional support to pharmacologic treatment of the failing heart after myocardial infarction, unstable angina and cardiac surgery. The physiologic effect of IABP are: increased coronary perfusion and decreased left ventricular outflow impendance. The effects of preoperative IABP are not established. ⋯ The mean ICU stay was 2.1 +/- 0.9 days. The first part of this study identified riskfactors for mortality after CABG and in the second series the efficacy of preoperative IABP treatment in "high-risk" patients was demonstrated. Preoperative IABP support in these patients seems also cost efficient due to lower mortality and shorter stay in intensive care unit in this group of patients.