Just curious about balloon pump

[Debster]

Hello! When my mom had her mitral valve replaced in April ,(with a tissue-oink! she had a balloon pump inserted into her heart two days before surgery. Her cardio said she was in full regurgitation and needed it to help her heart pump. (after they had given her a TON of blood pressure meds and dropped it to 50/barely detectable-scary!!!!) I was just wondering if other people had to be on this too before their surgery-my mom waited too long to have hers done. Thankfully she is doing pretty well-thanks so everyone for this great site Debbie

 

[Mike]

Mike had the balloon assist AFTER surgery (replacing aortic and mitral valves) because his beat-up heart needed the help it gives. I understand that it lies in the aorta in the abdomen and when it is inflated (half the heart beat) it serves the cardiac muscles more than their fair share of bood. On the second half, it is deflated and the motion helps draw blood out of the heart's chamber. Incredibly simple concept in a very sophisticated computerized machine. (I was just thrilled when his heart decided it COULD cope with the surgeon's work and its decades old damage at the same time!)

Diana

 

[Debster]

Thanks Diana-I wondered where exactly it was placed. My mom had hers removed about the second day post surgery-and like you-I was thrilled her heart went on without it!!!!! Debbie

 

[Jkm7]

Thanks Diana-I wondered where exactly it was placed. My mom had hers removed about the second day post surgery-and like you-I was thrilled her heart went on without it!!!!! Debbie

When I had my MI, they tried angioplasty/stenting but it didn't work for me. They took me to an operating room and placed the balloon pump. I was on it for four days until I had OHS and then for a day and a half after the surgery.

Yes......I was happy when they weaned me off it and my heart decided it would keep on beating without the extra help.