The authors summarize their experience with intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) at the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine between 1978-1984. A total of 756 cardiac surgery procedures were performed for ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and 266 procedures for rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Of patients operated on for IDH, IABC was used in 38 (5%) and, of those undergoing surgery for RHD, in 38 cases (14%). Overall, IABC was employed in 76 patients, i.e., 7%. Ventricular assistance using IABC was successful in 55% of patients. The technique was significantly more successful in IHD (68%) than in RHD (42%) patients. IABC was less successful in IHD patients suffering myocardial infarction intraoperatively. Moreover, the success of IABC depended on its early initiation. Eleven patients (14%) developed complications associated with IABC. The data do not differ from results reported by world's leading centres.