A RAY OF HOPE FOR HEART PATIENTS

Faced with severe heart failure, an 84-year-old gets a fresh lease of life due to Impella, a tiny device. Learn how Impella is changing patient lives in India.

- Dr Srinivas Prasad BV

An 84-year-old senior citizen was brought to a hospital, presenting symptoms indicative of heart failure. These symptoms, which had been persisting for a duration of two weeks, included breathlessness and noticeable swelling in his legs. Upon examination, it was determined that his heart was functioning at a significantly reduced capacity, with a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction of only 25 percent, indicating a severely weakened heart.

The successful use of the Impella device during angioplasty in this high-risk patient underscores its potential as a valuable tool.

To identify the underlying cause of his heart failure, an angiogram was performed. The results of this diagnostic procedure revealed multiple critical blockages in his coronary arteries. Given his heart failure status and the severity of the blockages, the patient was considered to be at very high risk for invasive procedures such as open-heart surgery or angioplasty.

However, the medical team decided to proceed with an angioplasty, a less invasive procedure, with the assistance of a device known as Impella. The Impella device is designed to temporarily assist with the pumping function of the heart, providing circulatory support during procedures like angioplasty.