Distal Embolic Protection in Impella 5.0 Explantation: "Loop & Snare" Technique.

Distal Embolic Protection in Impella 5.0 Explantation: "Loop & Snare" Technique.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2019 Sep 26;:
Authors: Kawabori M, Pramil V, Shindgikar P, Zhan Y, Warner KG, Rastegar H, Kapur NK, Chen FY, Couper GS
Abstract
The left ventricular assist device, Impella 5.0, has become widely accepted as a temporary mechanical circulatory support for patients in cardiogenic shock. Impella 5.0 is placed through an anastomosed graft. When removing the device, blood clot formation is noticed in the anastomosed graft. The blood clot has been reported to dislodge and embolize distally, causing acute limb ischemia. Here, we present our simple, inexpensive, and effective "Loop & Snare" technique for safer device removal preventing distal embolic complications. In our experience of 6 patients who had Impella 5.0 removal with this technique, the distal embolic complication was 0%.
PMID: 31563488 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery - September 25, 2019 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Kawabori M, Pramil V, Shindgikar P, Zhan Y, Warner KG, Rastegar H, Kapur NK, Chen FY, Couper GS Tags: Ann Thorac Surg Source Type: research