Abstract

A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) improve mortality in cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Two studies and one systematic review were directly relevant to the question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are shown in table 3. The clinical bottom line is that the IABP does not improve mortality in cardiogenic shock after AMI when percutaneous coronary intervention is available. When only thrombolysis is possible then it may improve mortality.