Aortic balloon entrapment complicating intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation

Short-term balloon counterpulsation may be complicated by aortic balloon entrapment. We report a patient in whom video-coronary surgery was performed using beating heart anastomosis. This patient developed intra-aortic balloon (IAB) entrapment 4 days after initiation of the counterpulsation previously implanted for a preoperative low ejection fraction. No limb ischaemia was detected, but urgent removal of the balloon catheter is mandatory if blood is detected in the tubing connecting the balloon to the console, even in the presence of adequate function of the IAB assistance.