The Subclavian Intraaortic Balloon Pump: A Compelling Bridge Device for Advanced Heart Failure.

Background: A subclavian intraaortic balloon pump (SC-IABP) can help to optimize patients with advanced congestive heart failure as a bridge to definitive therapy. We retrospectively reviewed our experience to assess the application and safety of this technique.

Methods: We studied 88 patients with decompensated advanced congestive heart failure who received SC-IABP placement between January 2011 and December 2014.