Complications from intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation: a review of 303 cardiac surgical patients

Abstract
From January 1980 to January 1990 all patients undergoing cardiacsurgery at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, and requiring intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABCP) were retrospectively reviewed. Atotal of 99 patients (32.6%) developed complications. Vascular/haemorrhagiccomplications occurred in 46 patients (15.2%); 79 patients (26%) requiredplatelet transfusions. We have found that only a history of hypertensionwas predictive of an increased incidence of developing vascularcomplications. Surgical intervention was required in 17 patients (5.6%), or47% of the patients who developed a vascular complication. The mortalityamong patients requiring IABCP was 36.6%. Intra-aortic balloon pump-relateddeaths occurred in 6 patients (2%). Use of the intra-aortic balloon pumpcan be a life-saving procedure, but it carries a significant morbidity andmortality rate. This makes it imperative to temper our indications to thosepatients who demonstrate a need for it.

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