Is there still a role for the intra-aortic balloon pump in the management of cardiogenic shock following acute coronary syndrome?

The intra-aortic balloon pump has been widely used in the management of cardiogenic shock. Reducing cardiac afterload and myocardial oxygen consumption, and improving coronary blood flow, this safe and simple mechanical circulatory support has been considered the cornerstone of cardiogenic shock management for decades. However, because it failed to provide any clinical benefit in recent randomized trials, the latest guidelines discourage its routine use in this clinical setting. Moreover, new percutaneous circulatory supports providing greater haemodynamic improvement have recently been developed. Thus, intra-aortic balloon pump use has declined considerably in this clinical setting. However, the device does retain a minor role in cardiogenic shock management - mainly in the setting of mechanical complication of acute coronary syndrome, and for left ventricular unloading in patients treated with extracorporeal life support.