Preoperative intra-aortic balloon assist in high risk revascularization patients.

Sixty-five high risk myocardial revascularization patients had preoperative IABP with two operative deaths. Only six patients needed rapid institution of cardiopulmonary bypass after anesthesia induction despite marked blood pressure drop in half the patients. There were only two instances of postpump power failure. Preoperative IABP is a valid method of limiting morbidity associated with coronary surgery in high risk patients.