• Mark J Russo, Valluvan Jeevanandam, John Stepney, Aurelie Merlo, Elizabeth M Johnson, Raja Malyala, and Jai Raman.
• Center for Aortic Diseases, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. mrusso@uchicago.edu
• J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.. 2012 Oct 1;144(4):951-5.

ObjectiveIntra-aortic balloon pumps are traditionally inserted through the femoral artery, limiting the patient's mobility. We used alternate approaches of intra-aortic balloon pump insertion to provide temporary and minimally invasive support for patients with decompensating, end-stage heart failure. The present study describes the outcomes with closed-chest, transthoracic intra-aortic balloon pumps by way of the subclavian artery.MethodsDuring a 3-year period, 20 patients underwent subclavian artery-intra-aortic balloon pump in the setting of end-stage heart failure. The balloon was inserted through a polytetrafluoroethylene graft sutured to the right subclavian artery in 19 patients (95%) and to the left subclavian artery in 1 patient (5%). The goal of support was to bridge to transplantation in 17 patients (85%) and bridge to recovery in 3 patients (15%). The primary outcome measure was death during subclavian artery-intra-aortic balloon pump support. The secondary outcomes included survival to the intended endpoint of bridge to transplantation/bridge to recovery, complications during subclavian artery-intra-aortic balloon pump support (eg, stroke, limb ischemia, brachial plexus injury, dissection, bleeding requiring reoperation, and device-related infection), emergent surgery for worsening heart failure, and ambulation during intra-aortic balloon pump support.ResultsThe duration of balloon support ranged from 3 to 48 days (mean, 17.3 ± 13.1 days). No patients died during subclavian artery-intra-aortic balloon pump support. Of the 20 patients, 14 (70%) were successfully bridged to transplant or left ventricular-assist device. Two patients (10%) required emergent left ventricular-assist device for worsening heart failure.ConclusionsAn intra-aortic balloon pump inserted through the subclavian artery is a simple, minimally invasive approach to mechanical support and is associated with limited morbidity and facilitates ambulation in patients with end-stage heart failure.Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

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