I ntra-aortic balloon counterpulsation ameliorates ischemia by simultaneously augmenting coronary blood flow and reducing myocardial oxygen demand, making it a potentially valuable therapy for providing circulatory support in cardiogenic shock or preventing the occurrence of major complications during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Singlecenter observational data had suggested a reduction in mortality and major complications with the use of an elective intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) during high-risk PCI, 1,2 but the Balloon Pump-Assisted Coronary Intervention Study (BCIS-1) was the first randomized controlled evaluation of the safety and efficacy of counterpulsation during high-risk PCI.3 Compared with patients who had PCI without planned IABP support, those who received elective IABP insertion were found to have a similar incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at hospital discharge, which is the primary outcome of the study. However, differences were observed in the major secondary outcomes of BCIS-1: the occurrence of procedural complications and all-cause mortality at 6 months. Procedural complications occurred much less frequently in patients who received elective IABP support, and fewer early deaths were noted in this group, although relatively few deaths had occurred at 6 months, and the difference in mortality was not statistically significant at that stage. Elective IABP use during high-risk PCI has a class IIb recommendation (level of evidence C) in the current American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Background-There is conflicting evidence on the utility of elective intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Observational series have indicated a reduction in major in-hospital adverse events, although randomized trial evidence does not support this. A recent study has suggested a mortality benefit trend early after PCI, but there are currently no long-term outcome data from randomized trials in this setting. Methods and Results-Three hundred one patients with left ventricular impairment (ejection fraction <30%) and severe coronary disease (BCIS-1 jeopardy score ≥8; maximum possible score=12) were randomized to receive PCI with elective IABP support (n=151) or without planned IABP support (n=150). Long-term all-cause mortality was assessed by tracking the databases held at the Office of National Statistics (in England and Wales) and the General Register Office (in Scotland). The groups were balanced in terms of baseline characteristics (left ventricular ejection fraction, 23.6%; BCIS-1 jeopardy score, 10.4) and the amount and type of revascularization performed. Mortality data were available for the entire cohort at a median of 51 months (interquartile range, 41-58) from randomization. All-cause mortality at follow-up was 33% in the overall cohort, with significantly fewer deaths occurring in the elective IABP group (n=42) than in the group that underwent PCI without planned IABP support ...