Intra-aortic balloon pump rupture occurs in approximately 0.5% of cases and requires prompt percutaneous or surgical extraction to prevent severe complications like thrombosis and entrapment.
Does surgical intervention (laparotomy and endarterectomy) safely manage intra-aortic balloon pump rupture and entrapment in a patient with cardiogenic shock?
Prompt identification and surgical intervention, such as laparotomy and endarterectomy, can successfully manage the rare but severe complication of IABP rupture and entrapment.
Introduction: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) rupture with subsequent entrapment is a rare but serious complication. This report aims to present a case of IABP balloon rupture and entrapment, along with a systematic review of management strategies to guide clinical practice. Presentation of case: An 84-year-old female with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock underwent IABP implantation. Balloon rupture occurred 24 days later, accompanied by entrapment. Successful removal was achieved via laparotomy and right common iliac artery endarterectomy. The patient recovered without symptoms at 1-year follow-up. Discussion: IABP balloon rupture is uncommon (≈0.5%), often resulting from mechanical abrasion against atherosclerotic plaques. Early recognition and intervention are critical to prevent thrombosis and entrapment. Management options include thrombolysis, percutaneous extraction, or surgical removal depending on timing and clinical context. Conclusion: Prompt identification of balloon rupture and appropriate intervention are essential to avoid severe complications. A structured management algorithm is recommended to optimize outcomes.
Wang et al. (2026) studied this question. Intra-aortic balloon pump rupture occurs in approximately 0.5% of cases and requires prompt percutaneous or surgical extraction to prevent severe complications like thrombosis and entrapment.