COMPLICATION OF INTRAAORTIC BALLOON PUMPING IN A PEDIATRIC-PATIENT

A serious complication was seen following insertion of an intra-aortic balloon pump in the ascending aorta in a pediatric patient. The cathe ter initially coursed to the left subclavian artery from which it fold ed upon before finding its way in the descending aorta. We recommend t hat a suitably curved J-tip guidewire be used to guide the IABP balloo ns distal to the aortic arch into the descending aorta, so as to avoid potentially fatal complications.