Splenic rupture resulting from acute pancreatitis after cardiac surgery with intra-aortic balloon pumping: case report

A very unusual cause of splenic rupture is described in a 73-year-old man with severe coronary artery disease. A transthoracic intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was inserted during coronary artery bypass grafting and was used for 3 days. However, his hypotension continued, and ischemic changes in his hand were thought to be due to the use of the pump. He died 7 days later of cardiac arrest. Autopsy revealed multiorgan failure associated with a preoperative myocardial infarct. Numerous systemic arterial atheroemboli, likely resulting from IABP-related aortic trauma and hypotension, had given rise to severe acute pancreatitis. The necrotizing process within the pancreatic tail had extended to the splenic hilum, eroding its capsule and causing splenic rupture and hemoperitoneum.