title: Paraplegia associated with intraaortic balloon pump counterpulsation.
abstract: Two patients developed paraplegia associated with the use of the intraaortic balloon pump. In one patient, transient spinal ischemic episodes ceased after removal of the intraaortic balloon and the second patient apparently sustained spinal cord infarction. Possible etiologic mechanisms include vascular occlusion due to balloon position, arterial spasm, thromboembolic phenomena, hypotension, hypoxia and arterial dissection.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000628:therapy