The Impella 5.0, a percutaneously inserted left ventricular assist device, has been used to support patients who have severe heart failure or who are undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. We report our surgical placement of the Impella 5.0, through a graft sewn to the aorta, to unload the left ventricle of a 59-year-old man who was undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy shock. The patient underwent successful placement of a long-term left ventricular assist device before his discharge from the hospital. The versatility of the Impella 5.0 is exemplified in this patient who was successfully bridged to long-term support.
Keywords: Decompression, surgical/methods; emergency treatment; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/instrumentation/methods; heart failure/therapy; heart-assist devices; hemodynamics; shock, cardiogenic/complications/surgery/therapy; thrombosis/prevention & control; treatment outcome; ventricular dysfunction, left/therapy.