title: A simple technique for repositioning the intra-aortic balloon catheter associated with ipsilateral limb ischemia.
abstract: Occasionally, ipsilateral ischemia develops following the groin insertion of an intra-aortic balloon catheter. Various treatment options have evolved, and include replacing the catheter in the opposite groin, removing it completely, or performing a femorofemoral bypass to deliver blood flow below the catheter. Outlined in this paper is a simple method to restore blood flow to a threatened limb, during femoral artery exploration, in the presence of an intra-aortic balloon. This method is also appropriate for optimal positioning of the balloon catheter prior to femorofemoral bypass.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gates
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*