title: Limb ischemia during intra-aortic balloon pumping: indication for femorofemoral crossover graft.
abstract: Catheter insertion for intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) was successful in 91% of 332 candidates. Fifty-three patients (16.5%) had significant catheter-associated vascular complications, of which lower extremity ischemia with threatened limb loss was the most prevalent (70%). Thirty-six of these patients required an angioplastic repair or vascular grafting. Of the 36, 19 patients with ischemia who needed continued balloon support received femorofemoral (F-F) grafts to restore and maintain adequate limb perfusion. Wound infection occurred in six of the patients but there was no limb loss. F-F grafting is a simple procedure that requires little time and allows one to maintain IABP for prolonged periods without concern for critical obstruction to limb perfusion.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000628:therapy; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000601:surgery