Incidence and clinical significance of bacteremia and sepsis among cardiac patients treated with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation pump.

In this prospective study, a significant incidence of fever (47%), true bacteremia (15%), and sepsis (12%), were found in 60 cardiac patients treated with an intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation pump. The benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis in this setting should therefore be evaluated.