An intra-aortic balloon pump is one of the most valuable tools in the cardiac surgeon's armament to assist in the management of the failing heart. Despite its widespread use, there are associated risks and complications, one of which is balloon rupture with associated entrapment. Numerous approaches for dealing with this complication have been described; here we review the previous experience with intra-aortic balloon pump entrapment and discuss potential management, with particular reference to a recent case of our own.
Keywords: Assisted circulation/adverse effects; counterpulsation/mortality; entrapment; intra-aortic balloon pumping/adverse effects/methods/mortality/rupture/standards/statistics & numerical data; risk assessment.