During the period between 2/2000 and 11/2000 21 patients with severe ventricular dysfunction were investigated (EF less than 30 %) where in a planned manner intraaortic balloon counterpulsation was introduced before cardiac surgery. The low mortality (5 %), zero incidence of complications caused by the method and the improvement of the contractility of the heart muscle, evaluated from a rise of the ejection fraction (EF) make so-called prophylactic use of contrapulsation possible as a method of first choice in severe myocardial dysfunction.

        Key words: severe myocardial dysfunction - contrapulsation - prophylaxis