This registry provides a useful tool for monitoring the evolving practice of IABP. In the modern-day practice of IABP, complication rates are generally low, although in-hospital mortality remains high. There is an increased risk of major complications in women, older patients and patients with peripheral vascular disease.

This randomized trial showed that careful use of prophylactic aortic counterpulsation can prevent reocclusion of the infarct-related artery and improve overall clinical outcome in patients undergoing acute cardiac catheterization during myocardial infarction.

With contemporary advances in device technology, insertion technique, and operator experience, IABP counterpulsation may be successfully employed for a wide variety of conditions in the AMI setting, providing significant hemodynamic support with rare major complications in a high-risk patient population.