Impella –
Left
ventricular
assist
device
PRESENTED BY GEORGE
AJOKU
What is an
impella device?
Impella is a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). It is
indicated in patients who require short term support.
It helps pump blood through the body by pulling blood
out of the heart and pumping it into the aorta,
bypassing the left ventricle. The device is a tiny pump
inside of a catheter with an electronic motor that can
deliver about 2.5 – 5.0 liters of blood per minute to
the body.
How does the Impella help the heart
(indications)?
Typically, the impella device is indicated for patients with severe heart failure,
cardiogenic shock and High-risk percutaneous intervention (PCI). This device
functions to sustain the patient’s heart for up to seven days while the heart recovers
from any insult caused by the aforementioned indications.
Overall, this device helps the heart:
•Reduce preload
•Reduce afterload
•Reduce myocardial oxygen demand
•Increase overall forward flow and mean arterial pressure (MAP)
•Increase coronary perfusion
How is the Impella Placed in the
Heart?
A small incision is made in the upper thigh and a catheter is inserted into the
femoral artery.
The Impella device is then guided by the catheter and a wire into the left ventricle the main pumping chamber - of the heart.
The Impella pulls blood from the ventricle and pushes it out into the aorta,
delivering oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body. This allows your heart to rest
while the doctor performs the PCI.
Once the PCI procedure is complete, the Impella is turned off and guided out. If
your heart requires support after the procedure, the heart pump is kept in the
ventricle until your condition is stable.
Nursing assessments
Goals for patient using an impella
device
Reference
Nursing management on impella . (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2021, from
https://www.hkccasc.com/2020/ppt/0704_ACHP_1025-1050_Chung-on%20Mak.pdf.
OSF HealthCare. Impella Heart Pump. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2021, from
https://www.osfhealthcare.org/heart/services/intervention/impella/.
Rishi, K. What is an impella? RK.md. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from
https://rk.md/2017/what-is-an-impella/.
San Antionio Regional Hospital.Impella left ventricular assist device. (n.d.). Retrieved November
15, 2021, from https://www.sarh.org/centers-of-excellence/heart-institute/coronary-arterydisease/impella-left-ventricular-assist-device/.