Impella heart pump provides value during high-risk PCI, meta-analysis confirms
Using the Impella heart pump from Johnson & Johnson MedTech when treating high-risk heart patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with a reduced short-term mortality rate and an acceptable risk of adverse events, according to a new meta-analysis published in The American College of Cardiology.[1]
The study’s authors noted that there is limited real-world data on the safety and effectiveness of using the Impella device to provide temporary circulatory support during high-risk PCI procedures. The group aimed to provide a better understanding of this subject by reviewing data from more than 1,500 patients treated with Impella-supported PCI. All patients originally participated in one of seven clinical trials. The mean patient age was 70 years old and 80% were men. Common comorbidities included hypertension, heart failure and dyslipidemia.
Overall, the all-cause mortality rate after six months was 13.4%. In-hospital rates of acute kidney disease, major bleeding events and vascular complications requiring surgery were 7.6%, 6% and 2.1%, respectively.
“Impella-protected PCI may represent an alternative option for patients with extensive obstructive coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction, especially for those not eligible for cardiac surgery and with poor outcomes,” wrote first author Gianluca Di Pietro, MD, an interventional cardiologist with Sapienza University of Rome, and colleagues.
The group also highlighted how important patient selection is when considering the use of an Impella heart pump.
“Impella is unlikely to provide benefit in all patients undergoing PCI, particularly where ‘high risk’ is driven predominantly by severe comorbidities with intrinsically poor prognosis,” they wrote. “Conversely, it may be most valuable in patients with high anatomical risk—such as unprotected left main disease, extensive multivessel coronary artery disease or a last remaining conduit—where maintaining hemodynamic stability is essential to achieve complete revascularization.”
Click here to read the full analysis.
Johnson & Johnson acquired Abiomed in 2022
Impella heart pumps were previously sold under the Abiomed brand before Johnson & Johnson acquired Abiomed in 2022 for approximately $16.6 billion. In 2024, Abiomed started operating under the name Johnson & Johnson MedTech.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.