Impella-assisted balloon aortic valvuloplasty
Ludeman, D.J.; Schwartz, B.G.; Burstein, S.
Journal of Invasive Cardiology 24(1): E19-E20
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1557-2501 PMID: 22210593 Document Number: 658452
The Impella LP 2.5 left ventricular assist device (Abiomed) is safe and effective for assisting high-risk percutaneous interventions. A 77-year-old woman with severe aortic stenosis, severe coronary artery disease, an ejection fraction of 20%, severe peripheral vascular disease, and other comorbidities presented to a private, tertiary referral hospital with shortness of breath that had been worsening over 2 weeks. The patient underwent a successful, Impella-assisted balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) without complications. Impella support may be considered during BAV in high-risk patients with contraindications for a TandemHeart device (CardiacAssist, Inc.).