Early placement of Abiomed's Impella 2.5 increases survival rate in cardiogenic shock patients
New research on a heart pump designed to treat cardiogenic shock patients receiving a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) suggests that early placement of the device can boost survival rates.
Data on the Impella 2.5 heart pump, manufactured by Danvers, Massachusetts-based Abiomed, was published in the Journal of Interventional Cardiology.
The multicenter, retrospective study included 36 patients with acute myocardial infarction who’ve been affected by cardiogenic shock, and need PCI on their unprotected left main coronary arteries. The research was led by Perwaiz Meraj, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Northwell Health in Manhasset, New York.
Patients in the study were recruited from the cVAD Registry and the majority were in cardiogenic shock at the time they were hospitalized. About 25 percent had a low mean ejection fraction as well.
Results showed that treating patients with the Impella before PCI resulted in a 55 percent survival rate to discharge and a 48 percent rate at 30 days. Those who received Impella after PCI had a much smaller chance of survival—19 percent to discharge and 13 percent at 30 days.
This study builds on previous research released this year that found the correct use of Impella devices increases survival rates of cardiogenic shock patients to 84 percent.
"Patients with cardiogenic shock complicating an acute myocardial infarction due to an unprotected left main coronary artery culprit lesion are some of the sickest and most clinically challenging patients admitted in the cath lab," Meraj said in a statement. "Our data suggests that early placement of Impella before PCI is vital to survival."
Senior Writer
As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Katherine primarily focuses on producing news stories, Q&As and features for Cardiovascular Business. She reports on several facets of the cardiology industry, including emerging technology, new clinical trials and findings, and quality initiatives among providers. She is based out of TriMed's Chicago office and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has appeared in Modern Healthcare, Crain's Chicago Business and The Detroit News. She joined TriMed in 2016.