counterpulsation

counterpulsation /coun·ter·pul·sa·tion/ (-pul-sa´shun) a technique for assisting the circulation and decreasing the work of the heart, by synchronizing the force of an external pumping device with cardiac systole and diastole.

---

intra-aortic balloon (IAB) counterpulsation  circulatory support provided by a balloon inserted into the thoracic aorta, inflated during diastole and deflated during systole.

---

counterpulsation

[-pulsā′shən]

Etymology: L, contra + pulsare, to beat

1 the action of a circulatory-assist pumping device that is synchronized with cardiac systole and diastole to decrease the work of the heart.

2 the process of increasing the intraaortic pressure in diastole by inflation of an intraaortic balloon and deflation of the balloon immediately before the next systole.

---

counterpulsation

technique for assisting the circulation by the use of an external pumping device synchronized with cardiac systole.