Vascular trauma secondary to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures: cardiopulmonary bypass and intraaortic balloon assist.

Significant arterial trauma can result from femoral arterial cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass or intraaortic balloon pumping. Threat of imminent loss of limb or suture line disruption requires prompt surgical intervention. Delayed appearance of claudication, characteristically at 1 to 2 weeks postoperatively, is highly suggestive of iatrogenic iliofemoral injury. Arterial reconstructive surgery was necessary in three of five such patients.