There are several reasons a person might have an IABP placement, and these include: (1) a person has known severe coronary artery disease (numerous severe blockages in all arteries that feed blood flow to the heart muscle) and needs open heart surgery which is not immediately available; (2) a person has known severe congestive heart failure and is awaiting heart transplant; and (3) a person who has recently had a heart attack affecting the left side of the heart.

There is very little preparation for this procedure. You will likely be asked not to eat or drink for 8 to 12 hours prior to the procedure. Also, you will need to arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.

Prior to the beginning of the procedure, you will be given a sedative which will make you feel relaxed and drowsy. However, you will still be able to be awoken if necessary. Then, the area where the catheter will be inserted is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, the catheter is inserted and the procedure is performed.

Complications from this procedure are rare, and the risk of death is very low. Possible risks include: (1) allergic reaction to the dye which can be treated with medicine; (2) damage to the kidneys from the dye or the inserted balloon; (3) irregular heart rhythms which can be treated with medicine; (4) bleeding can occur at the site where the catheter is inserted; (5) although uncommon, blood clots can form around the catheter or clumps of plaque can be knocked loose from the walls of the arteries during the procedure and can trigger a heart attack or a stroke; and (6) loss of blood flow to the extremities that could result in loss of a limb

A person with an indwelling intraaortic balloon pump will be on complete bed rest and unable to do anything more than turn very slightly in the bed.

A person with an indwelling intraaortic balloon pump will be hospitalized in a cardiac intensive care unit and under close monitoring.

You should follow all the instructions that your healthcare provider gives you.