The primary goal of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) treatment is to increase myocardial oxygen supply and decrease myocardial oxygen demand. It is a mechanical device that helps the heart pump blood.
The IABP reduces the workload on your heart, allowing your heart to pump more blood. The IABP is placed inside your aorta, the artery that takes blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The balloon on the end of the catheter inflates and deflates with the rhythm of your heart. This helps your heart pump blood to the body.