title: Complications from intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation: a review of 303 cardiac surgical patients.
abstract: From January 1980 to January 1990 all patients undergoing cardiac surgery at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, and requiring intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABCP) were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 99 patients (32.6%) developed complications. Vascular/haemorrhagic complications occurred in 46 patients (15.2%); 79 patients (26%) required platelet transfusions. We have found that only a history of hypertension was predictive of an increased incidence of developing vascular complications. Surgical intervention was required in 17 patients (5.6%), or 47% of the patients who developed a vascular complication. The mortality among patients requiring IABCP was 36.6%. Intra-aortic balloon pump-related deaths occurred in 6 patients (2%). Use of the intra-aortic balloon pump can be a life-saving procedure, but it carries a significant morbidity and mortality rate. This makes it imperative to temper our indications to those patients who demonstrate a need for it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, Australia.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Brady
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology