Combined association of liver and renal injury by intra-aortic balloon pump malposition

We report an unusual visceral complication of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) due to the malpositioning of the catheter in the aorta.
CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old man with severe left ventricular dysfunction underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with the preoperative use of an intra-aortic balloon pump. Postoperative course was complicated by renal and hepatic failure. The early occurrence of complications during 36 hours after operation exhibited a serious vascular complication. The combination of acute renal and hepatic failure led to the suspension to occlusive effect of intra-aortic balloon pump catheter on ostium of the aforementioned organs. The intra-aortic balloon pump was removed, and urine output immediately restored. Thereafter, daily slop dawn serum levels of aminotransferases were started, and became normal at the 10th day of operation.
This is an exceptional case that shows how intra-aortic balloon pump may be contributed to mechanical aortic side branches obstruction. A high index of suspension is mandatory in the diagnosis of such bizarre complications.