Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation and coronary angioplasty in high risk coronary heart patients.

Fifteen patients with severely damaged coronary circulation required temporary intraaortic balloon counterpulsation for pharmacologically uncontrollable chest pain and poor haemodynamic state (hypotension or shock) in connection with the transluminal coronary angioplasty procedure. Twenty-five angioplasties were attempted (1.75 artery stem/patient) with a primary success rate of 96%.