Use of intraaortic balloon counter pulsation in a patient with tortuous aorta.

The intraaortic balloon pulsation (IABP) catheter is commonly used to treat left ventricular failure. The abnormality of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta is considered as a relative contraindication for its insertion. We present here a patient with acute myocardial infarction with a post-infarct ventricular septal defect who presented with left ventricular failure. During coronary angiography, tortuous abdominal aorta was noted and IABP catheter was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance to support the cardiovascular system. This case is reported to encourage discussion on the use of IABP catheters in patients with tortuous aorta and avoidance of events described.