Complications of percutaneous intraaortic balloon pumping.

Eight-nine consecutive patients who were considered candidates for counterpulsation were reviewed for complications of the percutaneous intraaortic balloon pump (PIABP). Indications for counterpulsation were cardiogenic shock in 37 patients, refractory ischemia in 35, postcardiotomy shock in nine, acute infarction with threatened extension in four, septic shock in three and elective preoperative use in one patient. In 67 patients (75.3%), successful passage of the balloon was accomplished in a single attempt; the opposite-side attempt was successful in 10 patients (11.2%) and neither attempt was successful in 12 (13.5%). Seventy-seven patients who underwent PIABP had major complications, including limb ischemia in 12, bleeding at the puncture site in three, permanent foot drop in three, aortic dissection in three, renal embolism in one and false aneurysm at the puncture site in one. Fourteen patients had minor complications: asymptomatic loss of pedal pulses in eight, transient bacteremia in two, parasthesias in two and wound hematoma in two. No patient had free perforation, balloon rupture or wound infection. The rate and severity of complications of PIABP are similar to those with conventional IABP insertion. Ease of insertion alone should not be grounds for using PIABP in patients who can be managed without counterpulsation.