Complication of intra-aortic balloon pumping in a pediatric patient

Abstract

A serious complication was seen following insertion of an intra-aortic balloon pump in the ascending aorta in a pediatric patient. The catheter initially coursed to the left subclavian artery from which it folded upon before finding its way in the descending aorta. We recommend that a suitably curved J-tip guidewire be used to guide the IABP balloons distal to the aortic arch into the descending aorta, so as to avoid potentially fatal complications.