How Your Procedure Was Possible
Impella® has the unique ability to enable heart recovery and allows patients to return home sooner1 and get back to activities they enjoy with fewer symptoms2. Impella is the only temporary, non-surgical heart pump that is FDA-approved for high-risk patients.
What is Protected PCI?
Your doctors may have determined your heart disease was too severe for stenting and too high-risk for surgery. An Impella CP® with SmartAssist®-supported stenting procedure, also known as protected percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure performed in a catheterization lab by an interventional cardiologist. During a Protected PCI, Impella CP heart pumps temporarily assist the pumping function of the heart during stent placement to ensure blood flow is maintained to critical organs.
Protected PCI with Impella CP may be an effective treatment option to address severe coronary artery disease or advanced heart failure.
You are considered a high-risk patient if:
- Your heart team has told you that angioplasty or stent placement is too risky
- There’s nothing more your physician can do to address your symptoms
- You are not a candidate for open heart surgery due to your risk factors
- You have other health concerns that increase the risk of traditional stenting or heart surgery such as chronic kidney disease
Explore Our Community of Heart Recovery!
Learn about the variety of opportunities to share your story and raise awareness about heart recovery in your community to empower others. Connect with other individuals who have received Impella support and join the community of heart recovery. Share your contact information below and a member of our Patient Advocacy Team will reach out to you soon.
Carlos Mercado
"I’m so grateful for my medical team and the fact that my physician identified me as an appropriate candidate for Protected PCI. This procedure allowed me to now live each day to the fullest. I put my health first and cherish every moment with my family and loved ones. I share my story to raise awareness about heart recovery so more people will have access to this treatment option. Joining the community of heart recovery and connecting with others who have also received Impella support has been a gift!"
Improving Your Quality of Life
After a Protected PCI procedure, you can make lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk of future problems:
- Eat a healthy diet: Eat more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish, and limit saturated and trans fats, red and processed meats, added sugars, and sodium.3
- Exercise regularly: Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your cardiovascular health. Your cardiologist may refer you to a cardiac rehabilitation program that can provide exercise support and monitoring.3
- Quit smoking: Quitting smoking is the most effective way to improve your health.3
For additional resources, please check out the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8™.
References:
- Lansky, et al. The American Journal of Cardiology, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2022.08.032
- Wollmuth, et al. JSCAI, 2022 1(5), https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.jscai.2022.100350
- CDC. “About Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).” Heart Disease, 1 Mar. 2024, www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/coronary-artery-disease.html.
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