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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
Published on: February 5, 2021
Intraaortic balloon pump insertion through the subclavian artery. Subclavian artery insertion of IABP
Constantin B Marcu1, Thomas J Donohue, Antoine Ferneini
1Vrije University Medical Center, Department of Cardiology, Room 6D 120, De Boelelaan 1117 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. bogmarcu@pol.net
The intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is frequently used in the management of cardiac failure in the setting of myocardial infarction or as a bridge for coronary revascularisation surgery. The IABP is usually inserted through the femoral artery. Occasionally severe aorto-iliac occlusive disease prevents the retrograde passage of the balloon, in which case an anterograde route, usually through the ascending aorta is used. We describe four patients in whom an IABP was placed through the subclavian artery by the joint efforts of cardiologists and vascular surgeons.
The intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is frequently used in the management of cardiac failure in the setting of myocardial infarction or as a bridge for coronary revascularisation surgery. The IABP is usually inserted through the femoral artery. Occasionally severe aorto-iliac occlusive disease prevents the retrograde passage of the balloon, in which case an anterograde route, usually through the ascending aorta is used. We describe four patients in whom an IABP was placed through the subclavian artery by the joint efforts of cardiologists and vascular surgeons.
