Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) has become an accepted modal ity to assist the failing heart. An eleven-year experience in 637 patients with this modality was reviewed.
Vascular complications occurred in 66 (10.4%). Female patients made up 27% of all IABP patients and 29 of the 66 IABP patients (44%) with vascular complications. Vascular complications were four times more frequent when IABP was accomplished percutaneously as contrasted with the use of a sidearm graft.
The factors that predispose patients to vascular complications with IABP, the measures to decrease the incidence of these complications, and the manage ment of these complications to minimize loss of limb and/or life are discussed.
