Superior mesenteric flow pattern during counterpulsation

OBJECTIVES We studied the flow pattern in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) during intra-aortic balloon pump support, comparing 2 intra-aortic balloons of 2 different lengths. METHODS Sixteen Landrace pigs (mean weight 84.0 kg ± 6.0) were used in this study. The animals were randomly assigned to 2 groups: group 1 received an 8-Fr, 40-ml standard balloon; group 2 received an 8-Fr, 40-ml short balloon. SMA flow was measured during early, mid- and telediastole. RESULTS The standard balloon led to a reduction in SMA flow in early diastole (P CONCLUSIONS Despite better overall mean mesenteric diastolic flow, the short balloon leads to early- and mid-diastolic flow reduction, although to a lesser extent than the standard intra-aortic balloon pump balloon. Our data are a call for improvement in the design of the short balloon.