Q: What is the best prevention of avoiding limb ischemia in insertion of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)?


Answer:  To avoid needle puncture which is too low.

If arterial needle puncture is too low in femoral area, probability is high of IABP insertion in one of the branches of femoral artery like superficial or profunda femoral artery. These branches are usually not large enough and may cause limb ischemia.