Preventive Impella® Support in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Background: Patients with severely reduced LV-EF ≤ 30% undergoing CABG have a high risk for postoperative cardiogenic shock. The optimal timing of an adequate hemodynamic support has an impact on short- and midterm mortality after CABG. This study aimed to assess the prophylactic use of the Impella pump in high-risk patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, 14 patients with LV-EF (≤30%) undergoing cardiac surgery received a prophylactic, perioperative Impella (5.0, 5.5) support between 2020 and 2022. Results: The mean age at surgery was 64.2 ± 2.6 years, the mean preoperative LV-EF was 20.7% ± 1.56%. The duration of Impella support was 4 (3–7.8) days and the 30-day survival rate was 92.85%. Acute renal failure occurred in four patients who were dialyzed on average for 1.2 ± 0.7 days. Mechanical ventilation was needed for 1.75 (0.9–2.7) days. Time to inotrope/vasopressor independence was 2 (0.97–7.25) days with a highest lactate level (24 h postoperatively) of 3.8 ± 0.6 mmol/l. Postoperative LV-EF showed a significant improvement when compared to preoperative LV-EF (29.1% ± 2.6% vs. 20.7% ± 1.56% (p = 0.022)). Conclusion: The prophylactic Impella application seems to be a safe approach to improve the outcomes of this patient population.

Use of Impella CP Device in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) may be performed on patients with high surgical risk who are poor candidates for traditional mechanical circulatory support. Hemodynamic support with micro-axial mechanical circulatory devices has been performed with limited but promising results.We report a case of a 66-year-old male with multiple comorbidities and low cardiac output undergoing OPCABG. Impella CP device was deployed for "in-pump" support during surgical coronary revascularization resulting in intraoperative stability and uncomplicated post-operative recovery.Previous reports have described the use of the Impella Recover LP 5.0 device for use during OPCABG. We describe the successful and safe perioperative use of the Impella CP device. Despite lower flow rates, adequate support was achieved and the transfemoral cannulation and smaller outer diameter than the Impella 5.0 device may decrease the risk of complications and expedite recovery. Further research will be necessary to determine the optimal perioperative hemodynamic support strategy to offer hemodynamically unstable, high, and prohibitive risk patients.

Temporary mechanical circulatory support prevents the occurrence of a low-output state in high-risk coronary artery bypass grafting: A case series

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a durable treatment for coronary artery disease. Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) (a division of cardiothoracic surgery) (ejection fraction < 35%) significantly elevates perioperative risk for patients pursuing surgical revascularization. Periprocedural support with temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) has shown benefit in this patient population.

METHODS

Four patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and LVD underwent CABG at our institution between 2017 and 2018. Each patient received perioperative ventricular support using a microaxial tMCS device (Impella 5.0®). The occurrence of a postoperative low-output state (LOS) was assessed for as well as postoperative morbidity and mortality, device-specific complications, and tMCS support duration.

RESULTS

All patients survived to device explant without device-related complications. Two patients required reoperation for nondevice-related bleeding. All patients were without an LOS at 24 h postoperatively with cardiac indices of 2.9-3.6 L/min/m² , normalized serum lactate, and vasoactive-inotrope scores of 0-12.0. There was a notably high incidence of acute renal failure (50%), which was observed in patients with preoperative cardiogenic shock. One patient died 10 days after the device explant. Of the three patients that survived to discharge, two were alive at the most recent follow-up. Postoperative device support varied widely (0-500 h).

CONCLUSION

Perioperative tMCS may be a viable strategy for preventing postoperative LOS in high-risk CABG patients with a low complication rate and acceptable morbidity. The application of microaxial tMCS devices in CABG is an area that warrants further investigation to delineate its impact on perioperative outcomes and potentially expand the indications for such devices.

Successful use of the Impella Recover LP 5.0 device for circulatory support during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

INTRODUCTION

Surgical coronary revascularization is being performed with ever increasing frequency in patients at high surgical risk. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) is particularly appealing in such subjects, but may limit the options for concomitant mechanical circulatory support.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We hereby report an original case of mechanical circulatory support with the Impella Recover LP 5.0 device during OPCABG in a 61-year-old gentleman with multiple comorbidities and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Specifically, the soft tipped device did not impede surgical manipulation of the heart during the surgical procedure, providing uninterrupted circulatory support to the patient.

DISCUSSION

This clinical vignette supports the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the Impella Recover LP 5.0 device in patients undergoing OPCABG.

CONCLUSION

Pending further studies, use of the Impella Recover LP 5.0 device can be envisioned safely for OPCABG.