The document summarizes the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), which helps increase blood flow and reduce strain on the heart. The IABP is a catheter inserted into the aorta that inflates and deflates in sync with the heart to improve hemodynamics. It inflates during diastole to displace blood and reduce afterload, and deflates during systole to lower pressure demands on the heart. Proper timing is critical for the IABP to be effective. It can be used for conditions like cardiogenic shock or as a bridge to other treatments.

1. Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump What it is and what it does Don Stroup, CC/NREMT-P Poudre Valley EMS