Intraaortic balloon pump entrapment.

Catheter entrapment is a rare complication of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation caused by the formation of hard blood clot within the balloon itself. We present two cases of intraaortic balloon pump entrapment seen at the University Hospital, Boston. This phenomenon usually presents as a limb threatening vascular emergency. The entrapped catheter becomes stuck fast within the iliac system during withdrawal of the device, occluding arterial flow at that level. The etiology of this phenomenon, and a proposed management scheme is discussed. Preoperative radiographic determination of the level of entrapment may be necessary. We feel it is necessary to control the abdominal aorta prior to removal of an entrapped intraaortic balloon.