Objective: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support has been used as a bridge to transplant (BTT) therapy for acutely deteriorating patients awaiting orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Given recent changes to the heart allocation algorithm which have expanded IABP use for BTT, the evaluation of device strategy, complications, and near-term survival is warranted. Methods: Patients bridged with IABP who underwent OHT between October 2018 and January 2020 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed (n=21). Chart review was conducted to assess IABP insertion site, timing of support, device-related complications, removal strategy, and thirty-day post-transplant mortality. Results: Patients were bridged with femoral (n=6), axillary (n=9), or femoral with axillary conversion (n=6) approaches for IABP insertion. Common complications included pump malposition (n=5), hematuria (n=4), pump exchange (n=9), and insertion site bleeding (n=2). Median duration of IABP support was 12 [7, 18] days and median time to removal after OHT was 1 [1, 2] day. IABP removal occurred at the bedside with direct pressure application for all femoral pumps (n=6). Among axillary pumps (n=15), 11 were removed at the bedside with direct pressure, 3 were removed in the operating room, and 1 was removed in the catheterization lab with device closure. There was no thirty-day mortality following OHT. Conclusion: Following the changes to the heart allocation algorithm, IABP has become the most common method of temporary mechanical circulatory support for patients awaiting OHT at our center with excellent early survival and acceptable complication rates. In addition to allowing patients to ambulate while on IABP, we find that axillary insertion did not result in excess bleeding complications and that bedside removal with direct pressure was a safe method for postoperative decannulation.