Acute pancreatitis associated with intra-aortic balloon pump placement

An 85-year-old white woman underwent placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump for stabilization prior to planned bypass surgery. The complication of acute pancreatitis was attributed to atheroemboli or compromise of circulation to the pancreas. Ischemia as a possible etiology of pancreatitis is discussed. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.