Safety and efficacy of transbrachial intra-aortic balloon pumping with the use of 7-Fr catheters in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery.

We report the cases of five consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) who required a transbrachial approach for 7-Fr catheter intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) insertion because of unsuitable femoral arteries. No adverse outcomes occurred in any patient during a mean 72 h of IABP support. Our experience with 7-Fr catheters appears to confirm previous reports of the safety and efficacy of transbrachial IABP assistance and suggests that such support can be provided safely for an extended duration with the use of these smaller catheters.