Successful surgery for perforation of the thoracic aorta caused by the tip of an intra-aortic balloon pump

We describe a case of perforation of the thoracic aorta caused by the tip of an intra-aortic balloon pump. The perforation was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scan and immediate surgical repair was successful. Vascular injury due to the insertion of an intra-aortic balloon pump is quite common but is predominantly confined to limb ischemia or injury to the femoral or iliac artery. Iatrogenic aortic perforation leading to significant bleeding is much less common and usually fatal. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.