title: Safety and efficacy of transbrachial intra-aortic balloon pumping with the use of 7-Fr catheters in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery.
abstract: We report the cases of five consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) who required a transbrachial approach for 7-Fr catheter intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) insertion because of unsuitable femoral arteries. No adverse outcomes occurred in any patient during a mean 72 h of IABP support. Our experience with 7-Fr catheters appears to confirm previous reports of the safety and efficacy of transbrachial IABP assistance and suggests that such support can be provided safely for an extended duration with the use of these smaller catheters.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Surgery Unit, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Località Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy. frankono@libero.it
authors.forename: Antonino S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rubino
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Onorati
authors.forename: Filiberto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Serraino
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renzulli
mesh_terms: D001916:Brachial Artery; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome