IABP

[BellaInBlueScrubsRN]

Is it common to have a negative afterload reduction on an IABP? Had my first balloon pump this week and the 2nd night I had him, his numbers were coming out negative. (The assisted diastolic was higher than the unassisted). Isn't that making the heart work harder? I called the doc and he had me change it from 1:1 to 1:2, but they were still negative.

[BellaInBlueScrubsRN]

I actually think it was in Auto R Wave Deflation mode. The guy was on the pump for a while. I had him a few days after I wrote this post. A few nurses tried to troubleshoot it, but the numbers were still negative. And although it was increasing the afterload slightly, the pump was left in place since it was still assisting in coronary artery perfusion.

So you think it was probably because of the Auto R Wave Deflation mode?

PS You guys rock, I really appreciate it

[cvicxena]

Bella -- I do suspect that was why. Don't forget when you have a patient on the pump and you have questions like this . . you can also call the 1-800 number on the balloon pump to ask them questions too.