MANAGEMENT OF LOWER-LIMB ISCHEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF INTRAAORTIC BALLOON PUMPS DURING CARDIAC-SURGERY

Objective: To audit the lower limb vascular complications associated w ith 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 in serted into 51 patients. Results: Seventeen patients (33%) died from c ardiogenic shock in the immediate postoperative period. Of the remaini ng 34 patients (37 IABPs), lower limb vascular complications occurred in nine patients (26%) who underwent 11 IABP insertions (30%). Vascula r complications included groin haematomas (n=2 insertions), compartmen t syndrome (n=2 insertions), femoral artery trauma (n=7 insertions). C onclusions: Prompt management by peripheral vascular surgeons resulted in limb salvage in IO legs and only one death from a pulmonary embolu s.