Today's ICU Pearl
Tuesday August 14, 2007

CPR on patient with IABP If patient requires CPR who is on Intra-Aortic Baloon Pump (IABP) - do not switch off IABP. Switch from "ECG trigger" to "Pressure trigger". IABP during CPR improves cerebral and cardiac blood flow. With CPR, on "pressure trigger", an arterial pressure tracing should be generated on console/screen and if the console is not recognising the arterial pressure tracing, chest compressions may not be adequate. (If feels uncomfortable regarding IABP during code - just put IABP to 'standby' mode during code).

Related: IABP care protocol - (source: London Health Sciences Centre, Canada)


Further Reading:

P. J Overwalder: Intra Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) Counterpulsation. The Internet Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 1999. Volume 2 Number