Experience with the Impella® recovery axial-flow system for acute heart failure at three cardiothoracic centers in Sweden

Objectives. The Impella (R) recovery axial-flow system is a mechanical assist system for use in acute heart failure. This retrospective study reports the use of the device at three cardiothoracic units in Sweden. Design. Fifty patients (35 men, mean age 55.8 years, range 26 to 84 years) underwent implantation of 26 Impella (R) LP 2.5/5.0 (support-time 0.1 to 14 days), 16 Impella (R) LD (support-time 1 to 7 days) and 8 Impella (R) RD (support-time 0.1 to 8 days) between 2003 and 2007. Implantation was performed because of postcardiotomy heart failure (surgical group, n=33) or for various states of heart failure in cardiological patients (non-surgical group, n=17). The intention for the treatments was mainly to use the pump as a obridge-to-recoveryo. Results. Early mortality in the surgical and non-surgical groups was 45% and 23%, respectively. Complications included infection, 36% and right ventricular failure, 28%. Cardiac output and cardiac power output postoperatively were significantly higher among survivors than non-survivors. Conclusions. The Impella (R) recovery axial-flow system facilitates treatment in acute heart failure. Early intervention in patients with acute heart failure and optimized hemodynamics in the post-implantation period seem to be of importance for long-term survival. Insufficient early response to therapy should urge to consider further treatment options.