Vascular Complications of the Intra-aortic Balloon Counterpulsation

Abstract

From September 1994 to December 2002, 6,274 cardiosurgery operations were performed at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) was applied in 192 cases (3.1%). From this group of 192 counterpulsated patients 103 were successfully treated (53.6%); 89 counterpulsated patients (46.4%) died from the surgical procedure (30-day mortality rate). In 5 cases (2.6%) from the group of 192, the IABP was introduced before the operation. Ischemic changes of the limb were observed in 11 cases (5.7%). Significant bleeding occurred at the site of puncture in 6 cases (3.1%). Dissection of the femoral and iliac arteries was found in 2 patients (1.0%), perforation of the iliac artery in 1 case (0.5%). In 2 cases (1.0%) the balloon was led into the venous system. In case report No. 1 an introduction of the balloon under a sclerotic plaque of the descending aorta and iliac artery is described. In case report No. 2 a placement of the balloon in the venous bloodstream is reported.