Typically, ventricular assist devices
(VADs) have been used for patients with cardiogenic shock
or chronic end-stage congestive heart failure as either a
temporary bridge to transplant
or for more long-term support – destination therapy – in
patients who are not eligible for transplant. For more than
a decade, NBIMC has been home to one of the busiest and most
respected mechanical cardiac support programs in the nation.
In fact, through the efforts of Mark J. Zucker, MD, JD, Director
of Heart Failure
Treatment and Transplant, and Margarita Camacho, MD, Director
of Cardiac Transplant and Assist Devices, virtually all approved
and
investigational implantable VADs have been available at NBIMC
for
more than 16 years.
Recently, changes in technology have resulted in the development
of smaller percutaneously implanted short-term circulatory
support devices such as the Abiomed Impella. The Impella
has now been approved for use at NBIMC.
“This new device allows us to rapidly and percutaneously
deploy, via the femoral artery, a temporary circulatory support
device in the catheterization laboratory for those patients
who need very short-term hemodynamic support as a bridge
to recovery or to a more
long-term implantable device,” said Dr. Zucker. “The
Impella can also be utilized as a temporary circulatory support
system during high-risk percutaneous coronary or valvular
interventions.”
“It is a wonderful device and a welcome addition to
our otherwise
complete array of ventricular assist devices,” added
Dr. Camacho. Staff training and education commenced in mid
January.
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