Impact of intra-aortic balloon pump support on cerebral blood flow velocity during venoarterial ECMO
Authors' conclusion
In patients receiving V-A ECMO, IABP support was associated with reduced MCA mean flow velocity despite unchanged mean arterial pressure, a TCD pattern consistent with a net decrease in cerebral blood flow, potentially related to IABP-induced changes in arterial waveform and cerebral hemodynamics.
Study context
- Population
- Adults receiving femoro-femoral V-A ECMO with concomitant intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support and documented transcranial Doppler monitoring, tertiary ICU, November 2021–May 202288 screened
- Participants
- 21 adults
- Exposure
- Active IABP support vs IABP standby mode
- Outcome
- MCA blood flow velocity by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography
Methodological detailssingle-centre, within-patient comparison
- Single-centre
- Within-patient comparison
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
MCA mean flow velocity
P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Systemic haemodynamics
- IABP support associated with lower peak systolic and pre-ejection arterial pressures; MAP unchanged
Factors associated with decrease in middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean flow velocity
- Higher unassisted pulse pressure and greater reduction in late diastolic flow velocity associated with larger decrease
Original publication
Impact of intra-aortic balloon pump support on cerebral blood flow velocity during venoarterial ECMO. J Crit Care. Published 13 August 2026. doi:10.
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