To the editor:Cardiogenic shock is one of the devastating complications of acute myocardial infarction.The mortality rate is still unacceptably high though having some treatment options such as complete revascularization,vasoactive drugs and mechanical support devices.Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is the oldest and most frequently used supporting method.In one of the past issues of the joumal,Wu et al1 retrospectively analyzed the factors affecting the outcomes of the elderly Chinese patients with cardiogenic shock treated with IABP.This study stimulated us to bring up some controversial issues of IABP support.Some current data in terms of IABP usage should be reviewed more comprehensively beyond knowing the factors affecting the outcomes.