Intra-aortic balloon

An intra-aortic balloon apparatus comprising:

• a first connector having a gas supply port;
• a tubular first catheter having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being fixedly secured to said first connector;
• a balloon having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being fixedly secured to the distal end of said first catheter;
• a central tubular member inserted in said first catheter and defining therein a passageway extending the length thereof and having a distal end projecting from the distal end of said first catheter and a proximate end extending through said first connector, the distal end of said balloon being fixedly secured to the distal end of said central tubular member;
• a second catheter freely insertable into the passageway of said central tubular member and having a distal end, a proximate end, and a length between said distal end and proximate ends thereof being longer than that of said central tubular member, the distal end being provided with a pressure transducer;
• a second connector having a proximate end to which the proximate end of said second catheter can be fixedly secured for feeding a signal produced by the pressure transducer to the outside of the apparatus;
• means for sealing said passageway in said central tubular member to retain fluid within said passageway;
• said balloon, said central tubular member and said first catheter being insertable into the aorta of a patient;
• and
• said second catheter being insertable into said passageway in said central tubular member with said pressure transducer being projectable into the aorta from the distal end of said central tubular member.