Global Bridge to Heart Transplant With Prolonged Impella 5.5 Support

Impact of Prolonged Impella 5.5 Support on Post-Transplant Outcomes: An Institutional Study

March 26, 2026 No Comments

This institutional retrospective study evaluated 72 patients bridged to heart transplant with the Impella 5.5 and compared outcomes for support durations of 14 days or less versus more than 14 days. Prolonged support did not worsen 1-year survival, graft rejection, length of stay, or major complications. Although rehospitalization within a year was common, overall survival was excellent, supporting extended Impella 5.5 use as a safe bridge-to-transplant strategy.

Innovative Balloon-Inflatable Venous Cannula for Enhanced Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

February 9, 2025 No Comments

This study introduces the Aulus venous cannula, a novel device for minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) designed to improve cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The cannula features heparin coating and internal balloons for superior and inferior vena cava occlusion, reducing external manipulation. Preclinical tests, including ex-vivo and large animal studies, demonstrated effective anticoagulation, precise positioning, and favorable safety outcomes, highlighting its potential for clinical use.

A Multivariate and Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of Intra-Aortic Balloon Counterpulsation in Open-Heart Surgery

December 1, 2024 No Comments

This retrospective study examined 1,114 cardiac surgical patients who required intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support between 2009 and 2018. Patients were divided into pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative IABP insertion groups. The overall mortality rate was 10.9%, highest postoperatively (25.8%). Predictors of mortality included age, BMI, pulmonary hypertension, renal disease, and cardiogenic shock. Complications, particularly renal issues, were common in post-operative IABP use. Pre-operative IABP prophylaxis may reduce mortality in high-risk cases.

The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump as a Rescue Device: Do We Need to Shift Our Strategy for Cardiogenic Shock Rescue After Cardiac Surgery?

September 28, 2024 No Comments

This study evaluates the efficacy of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) as a rescue strategy for patients experiencing complications following cardiac surgery. Data from 10,591 patients between 2012 and 2020 were analyzed, revealing that IABP use is associated with increased early and one-year mortality, especially when deployed for more than four days or after cardiac arrest. The findings suggest alternative mechanical circulatory support methods may be more appropriate for severe cardiogenic shock.

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump in VA-ECMO Patients: Insights from the Chinese Extracorporeal Life Support Registry

March 26, 2024 No Comments

This study from the Chinese Extracorporeal Life Support (CSECLS) registry explored the effectiveness of using an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) alongside venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in patients undergoing treatment for refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. Covering data from over 112 member centers, the study analyzed outcomes of 4,755 patients, comparing those who received VA-ECMO with IABP to those who did not. Findings indicated no significant difference in in-hospital mortality rates between the two groups, though IABP use was associated with higher incidences of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and limb ischemia. These results suggest that while IABP use does not reduce mortality in VA-ECMO patients, it may lead to increased complications, calling for further research and careful clinical decision-making.