Intra aortic balloon pump insertion through left axillary artery in patients with severe peripheral arterial disease.

Intra aortic balloon pump (IABP) is the mechanical assist device most frequently used in cardiac surgery. Recent demonstration of better outcome following preoperative IABP insertion in high-risk patients has further extended its indication. However, due to an increasing complexity of patients currently referred for cardiac surgery, several patients with potential indication for preoperative and/or postoperative IABP present severe peripheral vascular disease which usually contraindicates IABP insertion. Here we present an alternative technique for IABP insertion in patients with severe peripheral vessel disease.