Acute thrombosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm following intra-aortic balloon pumping.

Acute thrombosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a rare but devastating surgical emergency. We present the first case of a patient with sudden thrombosis of an AAA delayed (more than 24 h) after removal of an intra-aortic balloon pump. Treatment options include open surgical repair, axillobifemoral grafting or endovascular aortic repair. The patient received an aorto-bifemoral graft. The associations between intra-aortic balloon pump counter-pulsation and abdominal aortic thrombosis are discussed.