Options for treating 64-year-old Charles Morea’s diseased heart were running out, but a new miniature heart pump and a team from Baptist Cardiovascular Services came together in an effort to save his life. On Wednesday, July 15, 2009, Baptist Cardiologist Alfredo H. Figueroa, MD, used the Impella 2.5 heart pump, which as been deemed as the “world’s smallest heart pump” to support the patient’s ailing heart while life-saving repairs were made to blocked vessels.
Nine years ago, Morea of Utica, Miss. suffered a heart attack and underwent by-pass surgery. On July 6, 2009 he suffered a heart attack and was rushed to Baptist Medical Center. After Dr. Figueroa evaluated his condition, Morea was sent to the cath lab, but his vessels were extensively blocked and his heart muscle too weak to survive a standard procedure.
“We had reached the end and surgery wasn’t an option,” Dr. Figueroa added. “I was looking for options. I needed something to support the patient’s heart muscle while I worked on getting his arteries open.”
In June 2008, the Impella 2.5 catheter-based heart pump received 510(k) clearance by the Food and Drug Administration. As the smallest heart pump on the market, Impella 2.5 works by temporarily relieving the heart’s pumping function and providing the time needed to initiate life-saving interventions.
Dr. Figueroa researched and knew the Impella was the best option for a last-ditch effort to save Morea’s life. He quickly called Baptist Director of Cardiovascular Diagnostics Judy Henderson on Friday July 10, 2009. They began pulling together clinicians from Baptist and Abiomed Inc. who manufactures the device.
“I started the paper work, and we received the device on Tuesday, July 14. Time was of the essence. We started in-service training for our clinical team immediately. We all came together to save this patient’s life,” said Henderson.
“High risk patients with severe blockages and poor pump function need adequate systemic and coronary flow while we work on alleviating this obstruction quickly, and the Impella helps provide that,” said Dr. Figueroa. “It provides the interventionalist the hemodynamic support and peace of mind needed to complete this kind of high risk procedure.”
Manufactured by Abiomed Inc., the Impella 2.5, is considered the “world’s smallest heart pump.” It is actually smaller than a number 2 pencil eraser. It is inserted within a catheter through a tiny incision in the groin, up through the aorta, and into the left ventricle of the heart. Up to two and a half liters of blood are delivered by the pump from the left ventricle into the ascending aorta, providing the heart with active support five times faster than current industry devices and three to five times more blood flow than the present standard of care.
Dr. Figueroa added, “It gave me the support I needed to get his arteries open so his heart wouldn’t quit on me. The device supports the heart’s pumping system and drives blood through the body. It can give doctors time to perform procedures, such as opening blocked arteries, which might otherwise kill the critically ill patient.”
Morea hasn’t had any chest pain since the procedure and is doing well. “When I was having the procedure done, my chest pain went away, and I could breathe easier,” Morea said.
Everybody needs to know about this.”
Over 250 hospitals and over 500 patients that have been supported by the Impella device. Baptist adds to the growing number of healthcare institutions committed to optimal heart recovery. Interventional Cardiologists Dr. Figueroa and Nisheeth K. Goel MD with the Baptist Cardiology Clinic are the only physicians in the area using the Impella 2.5.
Tags: cardiologist, Cardiovascular, heart, heart failure, heart pump
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