The hemopump is a transvalvular, catheter-mounted, left ventricular assist device, intended for surgical placement via the femoral artery (hemopump 21 Fr. outer diameter). This device has demonstrated its ability to unload the left ventricle, leading to myocardial protection and haemodynamic stabilisation in patients with cardiogenic shock and those undergoing high-risk coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Since 1994, a new hemopump system (14 Fr. in external diameter, flow rates of 1.5-2.2 l/min) has been developed for percutaneous insertion. The aim of this study is to describe the immediate and mid-term results obtained during Hemopump 14 Fr. assisted high-risk PTCA.