American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

In IABP therapy, which condition would disqualify a patient?

1. Pulmonary embolism

2. Aortic regurgitation

3. Cardiogenic shock

4. Heart rate irregularities

The correct answer is: Aortic regurgitation

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy is primarily utilized to assist patients with cardiogenic shock or severe myocardial ischemia by improving coronary blood flow and reducing left ventricular workload. However, certain conditions can contraindicate its use. Aortic regurgitation is a significant concern in patients undergoing IABP therapy. This condition involves the backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole due to a leaky aortic valve. When IABP therapy is applied, the balloon inflates and deflates in sync with the cardiac cycle to increase coronary perfusion during diastole and decrease afterload. In patients with aortic regurgitation, the balloon's inflation could worsen the volume overload in the left ventricle because it may lead to increased retrograde flow due to the timing of the hemodynamic changes produced by the IABP. Furthermore, in the presence of significant aortic regurgitation, the risks associated with the hemodynamic influences of the IABP could lead to complications such as worsening pulmonary edema or cardiomyopathy. This makes careful assessment crucial, and therefore, aortic regurgitation serves as a contraindication for IABP therapy while other conditions listed