Intra-aortic balloon pump complications: A five-year retrospective study of 283 patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the type, incidence, and risk factors for complicat ion with the intra-aortic balloon pump. DESIGN: Descriptive, chart review. SETTING: Midwestern community teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Two hundred eighty-three patients with 287 intra aortic balloon p ump insertions from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1994. OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications of therapy. RESULTS: Seventeen percent of balloon insertions resulted in minor complica tions, and 14 patients had major complications. Polychotomous logistic regr ession was used to determine which study risk factors were predictive of th e development of minor or major complications in patients. Patients with lo nger balloon duration had an increased risk of a major complication; wherea s smokers and patients with lower body mass index had an increased probabil ity of the development of a minor complication.