Preliminary experience with Impella Recover(®) LP5.0 in nine patients with cardiogenic shock: a new circulatory support system in the intensive cardiac care unit.

AIM

Cardiogenic shock is associated with high mortality. We report our experience with the short-term left ventricular axial pump Impella LP5.0 in nine patients with severe ischaemic heart failure.

METHODS

Six patients (group 1) presented with cardiogenic shock at the acute phase of an ST elevation myocardial infarction. Three patients (group 2) had severe ischaemic cardiomyopathy with temporary contra-indication to LVAD or transplantation. We measured haemodynamic and metabolic variables up to 96hours and recorded morbidity, mechanical pump failures, and mortality up to one year postimplantation.

RESULTS

In all patients the Impella LP5.0 was safely placed through the right subclavian artery. Cardiac power output increased from 0.64 (0.07) W to 0.94 (0.44) W and 1.02 (0.30) W at 24 and 72hours, respectively. The Impella LP5.0 remained in place for 12 (7.2) days. In group 1, five patients were in INTERMACS Profile 3 at the time of pump insertion. Three could be weaned and survived. One patient in INTERMACS Profile 1 died of intractable heart failure within hours. In group 2, two of three patients underwent heart transplantation. Haemorrhage requiring transfusions was observed in four patients but only one case was directly related to the Impella LP5.0.

CONCLUSION

Left ventricular assistance with the Impella LP5.0 appears to be well tolerated. It may be especially useful in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock who achieve INTERMACS Profile 3 with initial treatment.