Complications and hazards with angiographic occlusion balloon catheters

Twenty angiographic procedures involving the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) were performed with balloon occlusion catheters in dogs with chronic liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The following complications were found: (a) rapid balloon inflation during angiography due to a leak between the two catheter lumens (two cases); (b) failure to deflate a balloon located in the SMA (two cases); (c) balloon detachment intravascularly and during catheter insertion (one case each); and (d) rupture of the SMA (one case). Balloon detachment occurred only with re-used catheters. The safety of angiographic occlusion balloon catheters for general use is questioned. Under no circumstances should catheters be re-used.