The Impella heart device is a type of temporary mechanical circulatory support device. It’s used to help patients with heart failure or those undergoing certain medical procedures.
The device is inserted into the blood vessel through a small incision and provides temporary support to the heart by pumping blood from the left ventricle to the aorta. This helps improve blood flow to the rest of the body and reduces the workload on the heart, allowing it to rest and recover.
What is an Impella heart pump?
Impella is a brand of temporary mechanical circulatory support devices that are used to help patients with heart failure or those undergoing certain medical procedures.
The Impella device is inserted into a blood vessel through a small incision and provides temporary support to the heart by pumping blood from the left ventricle to the aorta.
This helps improve blood flow to the rest of the body and reduces the workload on the heart, allowing it to rest and recover. Impella is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional cardiopulmonary bypass and is designed to be used in a hospital setting.
How does it work?
The Impella heart pump works by providing temporary support to the heart. The device is inserted into a blood vessel, usually the femoral artery, through a small incision. Once in place, the Impella pump draws blood from the left ventricle and pumps it into the aorta, which provides blood to the rest of the body. This helps to improve blood flow and reduces the workload on the heart, allowing it to rest and recover.
The device is controlled by a computer and can be adjusted to pump at different rates depending on the patient’s needs. The Impella pump is connected to a console outside the body and can be removed easily when no longer needed.
The Impella pump is used in patients with heart failure or those undergoing certain medical procedures, such as angioplasty, where temporary support to the heart is needed. Its minimally invasive design and ability to provide temporary support make it a valuable tool in the treatment of heart disease.
Who needs an Impella?
An Impella heart pump may be needed for patients who have heart failure or are undergoing certain medical procedures that put stress on the heart. These include:
- Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack): The Impella heart pump can help support the heart during a heart attack and improve blood flow to the rest of the body.
- Cardiogenic shock: This is a medical emergency where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. The Impella heart pump can help support the heart and maintain blood flow until the underlying cause is treated.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): This is a procedure where a blocked coronary artery is opened to restore blood flow to the heart. The Impella heart pump can help support the heart during the procedure and reduce the risk of complications.
- Heart failure: The Impella heart pump can help support the heart in patients with heart failure and improve blood flow to the rest of the body.
- Cardiac surgery: The Impella heart pump can be used as a temporary support for the heart during certain cardiac surgeries.
The use of an Impella heart pump is determined on a case-by-case basis and is typically recommended by a cardiologist or cardiovascular surgeon.
Benefits of Impella
The Impella heart pump offers several benefits, including:
- Improved blood flow: The Impella heart pump helps to improve blood flow by pumping blood from the left ventricle to the aorta, reducing the workload on the heart and allowing it to rest and recover.
- Minimally invasive: The Impella heart pump is inserted through a small incision and is minimally invasive, reducing the risk of complications compared to traditional open-heart surgery.
- Reduced risk of complications: The Impella heart pump helps to reduce the risk of complications during medical procedures such as angioplasty or cardiac surgery by providing temporary support to the heart.
- Quick recovery: The Impella heart pump is designed to be a temporary support for the heart, allowing patients to recover more quickly compared to traditional open-heart surgery.
- Better outcomes: The Impella heart pump has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with heart failure and those undergoing certain medical procedures.
The use of an Impella heart pump is determined on a case-by-case basis and is typically recommended by a cardiologist or cardiovascular surgeon. Patients need to discuss the potential benefits and risks with their healthcare provider before undergoing any treatment.
Risks of Impella
Like any medical device or procedure, the Impella heart pump has potential risks and side effects, including:
- Bleeding: The Impella heart pump is inserted through a small incision in the femoral artery, which increases the risk of bleeding and other complications at the insertion site.
- Blood clots: Blood clots can form on the Impella heart pump, which can lead to a stroke or other serious complications.
- Device malfunction: There is a risk of the device malfunction, such as failure to pump or pump at the appropriate rate, which can lead to serious consequences.
- Infection: There is a risk of infection at the insertion site or in the bloodstream, which can lead to serious complications.
- Hemolysis: The Impella heart pump can cause damage to red blood cells, leading to a condition known as hemolysis.
- Arrhythmias: The Impella heart pump can cause arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats that can be serious and even life-threatening.
- Kidney injury: The Impella heart pump can cause kidney injury, which can be serious and even lead to complete kidney failure.
It’s important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with a healthcare provider before undergoing any treatment. The decision to use an Impella heart pump is made on a case-by-case basis, and the healthcare provider will consider the individual patient’s needs and health status.