Percutaneous intraaortic balloon pumping: initial experience.
The necessity of surgical procedures for insertion as well as for removal of the balloon catheter remains a serious disadvantage of IABP. The percutaneous technique of insertion and removal of a specially designed balloon catheter is therefore of a great interest. Our initial clinical experience shows that this is simple, rapid and safe and can be performed at the bedside in a few minutes by any physician experienced with arterial catheterization. Its hemodynamic efficiency is identical. No specific complications were encountered although two cases of pulmonary embolism were recorded. A causal relationship between pulmonary embolism and the percutaneous removal of a balloon catheter must therefore be considered.
D000368:Aged; D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology