Hemodynamic comparison of thin Vs standard intra-aortic balloon using a patient-specific CFD Modeling

Intra-aortic balloon pump-IABP-is a mechanical cardiocirculatory support used to treat patients with cardiovascular diseases. Balloon volume influences both the standard therapy, since it is correlated to some clinical complications, and the weaning from the assistance, since one approach is the volume-based reduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of balloon volume on hemodynamics, evaluating the perfusion of the four main districts by comparing two volumes (standard and thin). Computational fluid dynamic-CFD-simulations were performed in a patient-specific aorta model. Balloons were numerically reproduced with their inflation-deflation behaviors. The results highlighted how size influences the hemodynamics, generating a decrease of perfusion in head and arms and a hyperperfusion in visceral vessels and in legs when adopting a thin volume compared with the standard one. This computational comparison demonstrated that a reduced-volume balloon is healthier, since it produces a better hemodynamic profile.