European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Vol 11, 579-581, Copyright © 1997 by European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
Unexpected complication of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation via the ascending aorta: balloon migration
F Santini, P Bertolini, A Rossi, G Montalbano and A Mazzucco
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Verona Medical School, Italy.
A case of intraaortic balloon pump catheter migration after an ascending
aortic insertion, occurring 16 h postoperatively in a 48 year old man after
myocardial revascularization, is presented. The prevention and management
of this rare but serious complication of intraaortic balloon pumping is
reviewed.