Arq Bras Cardiol. 2026 Oct 26;123(8):e20250735. doi: 10.36660/abc.20250735. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is the most widely used mechanical circulatory support device for patients with advanced heart failure (HF) in our setting. However, femoral implantation restricts patient mobility during support.
OBJECTIVE: To report the initial experience of a Brazilian advanced HF referral center with percutaneous axillary IABP implantation.
METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized for HF who underwent percutaneous axillary IABP implantation at a tertiary cardiology referral center were included. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: Between December 2020 and December 2023, 22 patients underwent percutaneous axillary IABP implantation. The mean age was 53 ± 10.7 years. All patients were hospitalized with refractory HF and were listed for heart transplantation. The procedure was successfully performed in all patients selected for the axillary approach. The median duration of support was 15 days (interquartile range: 7-28 days). Observed complications included device migration (18.2%), limb ischemia (9.1%), and isolated infectious and neurological events. Half of the patients either underwent heart transplantation or were successfully weaned from mechanical support.
CONCLUSION: The initial experience with percutaneous axillary IABP implantation demonstrated that the technique is feasible, safe, and reproducible. Further studies are needed to establish the role of this strategy within the continuum of care for patients hospitalized with advanced HF while awaiting heart transplantation.
PMID:42961234 | DOI:10.36660/abc.20250735