Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) can improve post-myocardial infarction (MI) outcomes, but the mechanisms of such effect remain unclear. We hypothesized that IABC augmentation reduces the extent of microvascular obstruction after acute infarction.
Amado, L. C., Kraitchman, D. L., Gerber, B., Castillo, E., Boston, R. C., Grayzel, J., & Lima, J. A. C. (2004). Reduction of “no-reflow” phenomenon by intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in a randomized magnetic resonance imaging experimental study. Journal of the american college of cardiology : JACC, 43(7), 1291-1298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2003.11.034 (Original work published 2004)