Management of lower limb ischaemia associated with the use of intra-aortic balloon pumps during cardiac surgery

Abstract

Objective: To audit the lower limb vascular complications associated with the use of an intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) on a cardiothoracic unit over a 12 month period. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Regional university cardiothoracic unit. Patients: Fifty four IABPs inserted into 51 patients. Results: Seventeen patients (33%) died from cardiogenic shock in the immediate postoperative period. Of the remaining 34 patients (37 IABPs), lower limb vascular complications occurred in nine patients (26%) who underwent 11 IABP insertions (30%). Vascular complications included groin haematomas (n = 2 insertions), compartment syndrome (n = 2 insertions), femoral artery trauma (n = 7 insertions). Conclusions: Prompt management by peripheral vascular surgeons resulted in limb salvage in 10 legs and only one death from a pulmonary embolus. © 1995 W. B. Saunders Company Ltd. All rights reserved.