Which patients would benefit from an intra-aortic balloon pump prior to cardiac surgery?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether there is a group of patients who would benefit from a prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump prior to cardiac surgery. Altogether 110 papers were found using the reported search, of which seven presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. We conclude that there is evidence to support preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump insertion in patients with two of left ventricular ejection factor <30 or 40%, left main stem disease, unstable angina or redo-operation.