Intra-aortic balloon pump

An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a medical device that helps the heart pump blood more effectively. It consists of a thin, flexible tube with a balloon at the tip, inserted into the large artery in the groin and guided to the aorta, the main blood vessel. The balloon inflates and deflates in sync with the heartbeat: inflating during relaxation to increase blood flow and deflating before the heart beats to reduce its workload. This support can improve blood circulation and oxygen delivery, especially in critically ill patients with weakened hearts or during certain cardiac procedures.