Doctor Discussion Guide for your Cardiologist

Talking with Your Cardiologist

Protected PCI, or protected stenting, including use of the Impella® heart pump during PCI,
may offer the following benefits:

Your cardiologist, in conjunction with a heart team, will recommend the option that is right for you.

The symptoms of coronary artery disease can range from mild to severe:

Angina
Chest pain or discomfort after or during physical exertion, but usually goes away with rest
Fatigue
Exhaustion from doing typical daily activities (i.e. going to mailbox, grocery shopping, etc.)
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the plaque in an artery ruptures, and the blood clot formed around the rupture partially or fully blocks part of the artery; a typical symptom of a heart attack is chest pain that does not go away.

Reduced Ejection Fraction
A decrease in the amount of blood your heart pumps with each beat. Normal is 55-70%.
Swelling
Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, stomach, and veins in the neck.
Cough
A persistent unexplained cough could be a sign that fluid is building up in your lungs as a result of heart failure.

I am experiencing symptoms from my severe CAD. What can I do to improve my symptoms?
Am I considered a high-risk patient for surgery?
Am I considered high-risk for PCI?
If I am considered high-risk, is protected stenting an appropriate option for me?
Do you recommend the use of Impella® for hemodynamic support during my angioplasty/stenting procedure?
Can you recommend an interventional cardiologist who offers protected stenting?
What will recovery be like with protected stenting?

References:

Dangas GD, Kini AS, Sharma SK, et al. Am J Cardiol. 2014;113(2):222-228.
Maini B, Gregory D, Scotti DJ, et al. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2014 May 1;83(6):E183-92.
Gregory D, Scotti DJ. J Manag Care Med. 2013:16(1):61-9.