Compartment syndrome from balloon pump

A 35-year-old man had significant left main coronary artery disease and req uired intra-aortic balloon catheter insertion owing to refractory ischemia before emergency coronary artery bypass graft. In the immediate postoperati ve period the patient started complaining of leg pain and diminished sensat ion in the right foot despite palpable pulses. The diagnosis of acute compa rtment syndrome of the right leg was made by an intracompartment pressure m easurement of 90 mm Hg. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 51:217-219, 2000. (C ) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.