Impella-assisted transcatheter closure of an acute postinfarction ventricular septal defect

Impella 5.5 support before, during, and after surgical ventricular septal defect repair: A bridge continuum

INTRODUCTION

Post-infarction ventricular septal defect formation remains a formidable mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the case of a 72-year-old male who was admitted with post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect and cardiogenic shock.

DISCUSSION

Impella 5.5 with SmartAssist as temporary left ventricular assist device provided sufficient support throughout multiple bridging episodes including failed percutaneous repair and subsequent definitive surgical repair. Contemporary management of post-infarction ventricular septal defect is discussed.

A Surviving Case of Myocardial Infarction with Ventricular Septal Rupture and Ventricular Aneurysm following Gastrointestinal Bleeding

A 55-year-old man presented to the emergency department with worsening shortness of breath 1 month after a gastrointestinal bleed. He had congestive heart failure, and an electrocardiogram suggested ischemic heart disease involvement. Echocardiography revealed a ventricular septal defect complicated by a left ventricular aneurysm in the inferior-posterior wall. Conservative treatment was started, but hemodynamic collapse occurred on the third day of admission and coronary angiography revealed a revascularizing lesion in the right fourth posterior descending coronary artery. Subsequently, his hemodynamic status continued to deteriorate, even with an Impella CP® heart pump, so ventricular septal defect patch closure and left ventricular aneurysm suture were performed. His condition improved and he was discharged on day 23 of admission and was not readmitted within 6 months after the procedure. Hemodynamic management of ventricular septal defects requires devices that reduce afterload, and clinicians should be aware of the risk of myocardial infarction after gastrointestinal bleeding.

Impella for the Management of Ventricular Septal Defect Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction: A European Multicenter Registry

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a rare but severe complication of myocardial infarction (MI). Temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) can be used as a bridge to VSD closure, heart transplantation, or ventricular assist device. We describe the use of Impella device in this context based on a multicenter European retrospective registry (17 centers responded). Twenty-eight post-MI VSD patients were included (Impella device were 2.5 for 1 patient, CP for 20, 5.0 for 5, and unknown for 2). All patients were in cardiogenic shock with multiple organ failure (SAPS II 41 [interquantile range {IQR} = 27-53], lactate 4.0 ± 3.5 mmol/L) and catecholamine support (dobutamine 55% and norepinephrine 96%). Additional temporary MCS was used in 14 patients (50%), mainly extracorporeal life support (ECLS) (n = 9, 32%). Severe bleedings were frequent (50%). In-hospital and 1 year mortalities were 75%. Ventricular septal defect management was surgical for 36% of patients, percutaneous for 21%, and conservative for 43%. Only surgically managed patients survived (70% in-hospital survival). Type and combination of temporary MCS used were not associated with mortality (Impella alone or in combination with intra-aortic balloon pump [IABP] or ECLS, p = 0.84). Impella use in patients with post-MI VSD is feasible but larger prospective registries are necessary to further elucidate potential benefits of left ventricular unloading in this setting.

ECMO and Impella Support Strategies as a Bridge to Surgical Repair of Post-Infarction Ventricular Septal Rupture

Background and Objectives: Post-infarct ventricular septal rupture (PIVSR) continues to have significant morbidity and mortality, despite decreased prevalence. Impella and venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (VA-ECMO) have been proposed as strategies to correct hemodynamic derangements and bridge patients to delayed operative repair when success rates are higher. This review places VA-ECMO and Impella support strategies in the context of bridging patients to successful PIVSR repair, with an additional case report of successful bridging with the Impella device. Materials and Methods: We report a case of PIVSR repair utilizing 14 days of Impella support. We additionally conducted a systematic review of contemporary literature to describe the application of VA-ECMO and Impella devices in the pre-operative period prior to surgical PIVSR correction. Expert commentary on the advantages and disadvantages of each of these techniques is provided. Results: We identified 19 studies with 72 patients undergoing VA-ECMO as a bridge to PIVSR repair and 6 studies with 11 patients utilizing an Impella device as a bridge to PIVSR repair. Overall, outcomes in both groups were better than expected from patients who were historically managed with medicine and balloon pump therapy, however there was a significant heterogeneity between studies. Impella provided for excellent left ventricular unloading, but did result in some concerns for reversal of shunting. VA-ECMO resulted in improved end-organ perfusion, but carried increased risks of device-related complications and requirement for additional ventricular unloading. Conclusions: Patients presenting with PIVSR in cardiogenic shock requiring a MCS bridge to definitive surgical repair continue to pose a challenge to the multidisciplinary cardiovascular team as the diverse presentation and management issues require individualized care plans. Both VA-ECMO and the Impella family of devices play a role in the contemporary management of PIVSR and offer distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on the clinical scenario. The limited case numbers reported demonstrate feasibility, safety, and recommendations for optimal management.

Postinfarction Ventricular Septal Rupture and Hemopericardium with Tamponade Physiology

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Ventricular septal rupture and hemopericardium are rare postinfarction complications.

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Contrast[HYPHEN]enhanced echocardiography can help identify pericardial effusion etiologies.

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Transcaval percutaneous ventricular assist device implantation is a viable strategy.

Early cardiac unloading with ImpellaCP™ in acute myocardial infarction with ventricular septal defect

Despite a relative contraindication, mechanical support with Impella™ left ventricular assist device has already been described for ischaemic ventricular septal defect treatment, either as a bridge to surgery, as intraoperative mechanical haemodynamic support, or to ensure intraprocedural haemodynamic stability during device closure. We describe two cases of ventricular septal defect complicating acute myocardial infarction, where the percutaneous ImpellaCP was implanted early (differently than previously described) with the aim of preventing haemodynamic instability, while deferring surgical repair. We present a report of haemodynamic, echocardiographic, biochemical, and clinical data of two consecutive cases of ImpellaCP use, within a minimally invasive monitoring and therapeutic approach. In two cases of subacute myocardial infarction‐related ventricular septal defect not amenable to percutaneous device closure, the use ImpellaCP was successful: it was followed by effective and rapid right and left ventricular unloading, by major haemodynamic instability prevention and protection from systemic venous congestion, from kidney and splanchnic organ failures. This allowed bridging to appropriately timed surgical repair. These cases suggest a potentially effective, clinically grounded strategy in the early management of ischaemic ventricular septal defect patients, with the aim of deferring surgery beyond the safer 7 days cutoff associated with a lower perioperative mortality.

Hemodynamic Effects of Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices in Ventricular Septal Defect

Background:

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a lethal complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and is often associated with cardiogenic shock. The optimal form of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for AMI-VSD is unknown.

Methods and Results:

We used a previously validated cardiovascular model to simulate AMI-VSD with parameters adjusted to replicate average hemodynamics reported in the literature, including a pulmonary-to-systemic blood flow ratio of 3.0. We then predicted effects of different types of percutaneous MCS (including intra-aortic balloon pumping, Impella, TandemHeart, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) on pressures and flows throughout the cardiovascular system. The simulation replicated all major hemodynamic parameters reported in the literature with AMI-VSD. Inotropes and vasopressors worsened left-to-right shunting, whereas vasodilators decreased shunting at the expense of worsening hypotension. All MCS devices increased forward blood flow and arterial pressure but other effects varied among devices. Impella 5.0 provided the greatest degree of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure reductions and decreased left-to-right shunting. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation worsened pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and shunting, which could be improved by adding Impella or passive left ventricular vent. Pulmonary-to-systemic blood flow ratio could not be reduced below 2.0, and pulmonary flows remained high with all forms of MCS.

Conclusions:

Although no form of percutaneous MCS normalized hemodynamics in AMI-VSD, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and shunting were worsened by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and improved by Impella. Accordingly, based on hemodynamics alone, Impella provides the optimal form of support in AMI-VSD. However, other factors, including team experience, device availability, potential for tissue ingestion, and clinical characteristics, need to be considered when choosing a percutaneous MCS device for AMI-VSD.

Standardization of Impella®-assisted patient management

The presence of high-risk features on candidates to percutaneous revascularization is increasingly leading to Impella®-assisted procedures (IAPs). While IAPs are safe and effective procedures, they still require managing a degree of complexity. Clinicians often rely on their ability to recall every step of operative procedures. However, during stressful situations, levels of cognitive function are compromised leading to planning and execution failures and decreased safety. Many high-risk activities such as aviation, aerospace industry, and nuclear plants have been using protocols, standardized procedures and checklists for many years. The purpose of the present article is to make a proposal for the standardization of ordinary medical activities required outside the Cath Lab for the management of patients before and after IAPs.

Impella percutaneous left ventricular assist device for severe acute ischaemic mitral regurgitation as a bridge to surgery

Ischaemic papillary muscle rupture causing acute severe mitral regurgitation (MR) has a dramatic presentation and a very high mortality. Emergent surgical repair improves outcomes, which necessitates robust preoperative stabilisation. Here we discuss a patient with cardiogenic shock with an acute severe MR that was deemed very high risk for emergent valve replacement due to haemodynamic instability and respiratory failure. A percutaneous left ventricular assist device Impella 2.5 (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) drastically improved clinical status, and the patient underwent a successful surgical mitral valve replacement soon after placement of the temporary assist device. Our case highlights that percutaneous ventricular assist devices may help to stabilise patients with severe acute ischaemic MR, and it can serve as a bridge to surgery in high risk patients.