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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
Published on: February 5, 2021
Cerebral air embolism secondary to intra-aortic balloon pump rupture
Salvador Cruz-Flores1, Alan L Diamond, Enrique C Leira
1Souers Stroke Institute, Department of Neurology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. cruzfls@slu.edu
Introduction:
Cerebral air embolism is a neurological emergency. It has been reported following cardiac catheterization, central venous catheter insertion, and cardiothoracic surgery.
Methods And Results:
We report a case of massive cerebral air embolism secondary to intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) rupture. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain showed serpiginous hypodensities following the sulci associated with hypodense brain parenchymal lesions.
Conclusion:
The prompt recognition of cerebral air embolism secondary to IABP rupture requires a high level of suspicion and is confirmed by head CT.
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