For years, cardiac patients typically had only two options to treat their blocked arteries and restore blood flow to the heart: either open heart surgery or angioplasty. Both procedures can be considerably risky for patients who have developed a significant amount of heart dysfunction. In certain cases, many cardiac surgeons will not offer bypass surgery, because it is too risky and these patients may not be able to withstand the procedure.
In June 2008, the FDA approved the use of an alternative treatment, which has proven to less risky than the traditional procedures for cardiac patients. Manufactured by Abiomed, the Impella 2.5 is a minimally-invasive, catheter-based cardiac assist device designed to directly unload the left ventricle in the heart, reduce myocardial workload and oxygen consumption, and increase cardiac output and coronary and end-organ perfusion.
The device supports a patient’s cardiac function, while the cardiac surgeon performs an angioplasty with reduced risk. During an angioplasty procedure, the heart is deprived of blood flow, which can result in heart failure or death. The Impella 2.5 ensures that blood flow is delivered to the body, which may prevent such negative outcomes. Additionally, a patient’s blocked arteries can be treated without the need for bypass surgery or even general anesthesia.
The Impella 2.5 can be inserted into the left ventricle in a catheterization lab via a standard guide wire through the femoral artery, into the ascending aorta, across the valve and into the left ventricle, generating flows up to 2.5 L/min. It is ideal for patients with decreased heart pumping function and who need revascularization – the opening of blood vessels to the heart. Most of these patients are considered high risk for open heart surgery or may not even be candidates for open heart surgery.
Michael Lim, MD, associate professor of cardiology at Saint Louis University and director of the catheterization labs at SLU Hospital, has performed nine cardiac procedures with the assistance of the Impella 2.5, all of which produced successful outcomes for the respective patients. He has also participated in a several clinical trials for the device.
“The Impella 2.5 is advancing cardiovascular care for incredibly sick heart patients, creating a new standard of care in cath labs across the country,” says Dr. Lim. “We can now treat patients who were once ineligible for angioplasty due to excessive risk. Ultimately, by using this device, we hope to improve our patients' quality of life.”
The Impella 2.5 has been used for quite some time in Europe; however, it was only recently introduced and approved for use in the U.S. Although SLU Hospital isn’t the only hospital in St. Louis to use the device, it’s the only one actively participating in clinical trials.
For more information about the Impella 2.5, please call SLU Hospital’s Cardiac Cath Lab at 314-577-8881 or visit www.sluhospital.edu.