title: Intra-aortic balloon pump related thrombus in the proximal descending thoracic aorta with peripheral emboli.
abstract: The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a mechanical circulatory assist device commonly used for patients with cardiogenic shock or perioperative cardiac failure. The use of IABPs is, however, associated with severe complications occurring in 6-15% of patients. We report a case and present images of a patient who died of sequelae after thrombus formation in the thoracic aorta as an exceedingly rare complication of IABP use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, 3435 CM Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. g.kloppenburg@antonius.net
authors.forename: Geoffrey T L
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Kloppenburg
authors.forename: Uday
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sonker
authors.forename: Marc A A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schepens
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*