Hemodynamic Improvement and Heart Rate Variability during Aortic Counterpulsation

MARCELO RISK; AGUSTÍN RAMIREZ; EDMUNDO I. CABRERA FISCHER

COMPUTERS IN CARDIOLOGY

IEEE

Año: 2004 vol. 31 p. 453 - 455

0276-6574

Introduction: aortic counterpulsation is a useful technique, frequently used in heart failure refractory to medical treatment. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the hemodynamic changes and the heart rate variability (HRV) produced by aortic counterpulsation. Methods: in seven sheep acute heart failure was pharmacologically induced. Pressure and flow signals were recorded in order to evaluate intraaortic counterpulsation hemodynamic improvement. Results: Intraaortic counterpulsation resulted in a significant improvement of hemodynamic parameters: increase of cardiac output and cardiac index, and decrease of systemic vascular resistance. The extent of aortic diastolic pressure augmentation in assisted heart failure, showed a significant increase compared with unassisted values. Heart rate variability in both, time and frequency domain showed a non significant increase. Conclusion: treatment of acute heart failure by aortic counterpulsation allows an effective hemodynamic improvement without significant changes in HRV.