Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia associated with intra-aortic balloon pumps.

To the Editor: Since its first clinical use in the late 1960s, intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation has been a significant means of supporting an inadequate myocardium.' The use of an intra-aortic balloon pump has increased greatly preceding open heart surgery for cardiogenic shock and left ventricular failure. Additional indications include other conditions such as unstable angina refractory to medical treatment and mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction. Of all of the complications of intra-aortic balloon pumps reported over the years, septic complications are rare.' Most septic complications of intra-aortic balloon pumps are local (eg, wound infection). Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia has been reported only rarely in patients with newly inserted balloon pumps. Recently, within a period of 8 days, three patients in our cardiac care unit developed MSSA bacteremia within a week of placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump. In these three symptomatic patients, blood cultures were positive for MSSA. The following three cases describe our findings.