Percutaneous left ventricular assist devices for high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract

Although coronary artery bypass grafting remains an important therapeutic option for patients with complex coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention strategies have become an established alternative. Nevertheless, treatment options for surgery-ineligible patients with complex coronary artery disease used to be limited, especially in patients with a reduced left ventricular function. Those patients are at high risk of profound hypotension and mortality, which may be adequately prevented by prophylactic placement of a percutaneous mechanical assist device. Although many devices have been developed and randomized evidence is still pending, the Impella LP2.5 device (Abiomed-Impella CardioSystems GmbH, Aachen, Germany) seems to be promising as it is easily applicable, carries a low complication rate and provides adequate circulatory support.

Keywords::

• coronary artery disease
• elective percutaneous revascularization
• mechanical circulatory support
• reduced left ventricular function

Financial & competing interests disclosure

José PS Henriques has received an unrestricted research grant from Abiomed Europe GmbH. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.