INTRAAORTIC BALLOON COUNTERPULSATION IN DENMARK 1988-1991 - EARLY RESULTS AND COMPLICATIONS

During the years 1988-1991 6319 patients underwent cardiac surgical pr ocedures in Denmark. In 183 patients (2.9%) with left ventricular fail ure intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) was used. Four percen t of the IABP were placed preoperatively, 86% intraoperatively and 10% postoperatively. Severe complications occurred in 16 patients (8.7%) and were mainly vascular due to limb ischemia. The incidence of compli cations was independent of the duration of balloon pumping. Sixty perc ent of the patients were weaned from IABP. The 30-day mortality rate w as 54%. During the observation period we found a gradual decrease in t he use of IABP as well as a reduction in mortality.