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The use of preoperative IABP in high risk patients lowers hospital mortality and shortens the stay in ICU, due to improved cardiac performance, compared to a controls. The procedure was cost-beneficial. One day preoperative IABP treatment improves cardiac performance more than 1-2 h preoperative IABP treatment, but does not significantly affect the outcome in terms of hospital mortality or postoperative morbidity.

This study shows that OC with DSC is a beneficial adjunct in the treatment of postoperatively impaired cardiac function, profuse hemorrhage and persistent arrhythmias. It can be performed without increased sternal morbidity. Long-term results are also encouraging.