• J M Alvarez, R Gates, D Rowe, and P W Brady.
• Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, Australia.
• Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 1992 Jan 1; 6 (10): 530-5.

AbstractFrom January 1980 to January 1990 all patients undergoing cardiac surgery at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, and requiring intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABCP) were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 99 patients (32.6%) developed complications. Vascular/haemorrhagic complications occurred in 46 patients (15.2%); 79 patients (26%) required platelet transfusions. We have found that only a history of hypertension was predictive of an increased incidence of developing vascular complications. Surgical intervention was required in 17 patients (5.6%), or 47% of the patients who developed a vascular complication. The mortality among patients requiring IABCP was 36.6%. Intra-aortic balloon pump-related deaths occurred in 6 patients (2%). Use of the intra-aortic balloon pump can be a life-saving procedure, but it carries a significant morbidity and mortality rate. This makes it imperative to temper our indications to those patients who demonstrate a need for it.

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