A new method for rapid, percutaneous, sheathless insertion of the intra-aortic balloon.

: Rapid insertion of the intra-aortic balloon (IAB) via the femoral artery is sometimes necessary. The increasing age of patients in cardiac units means that insertion into atherosclerotic and stenosed vessels can lead to ischaemic complications, particularly when the sheath is used. We present a modified method for rapid, percutaneous insertion of the sheathless IAB using the sheath dilator supplied with the insertion kit.