Key result
Prolonged Impella 5.5 support successfully bridges refractory cardiogenic shock to permanent LVAD with >1-year survival.
Why the study?
Patients with severe ventricular dysfunction and acute-on-chronic cardiogenic shock often require temporary mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to heart transplantation or permanent left ventricular assist device implantation.
Case Report (n=1)
Demonstrates the feasibility of exceptionally prolonged Impella 5.5 support while maintaining patient mobility as a successful bridge to durable LVAD implantation in refractory cardiogenic shock.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Prolonged Impella 5.5 support appears feasible; leaves open prospective evaluation of safety, optimal duration, and outcomes.
Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy or ischemic cardiomyopathy and severe ventricular dysfunction with acute-on chronic cardiogenic shock oftentimes requires a temporarily mechanical support as a bridge to heart transplantation or implantation of a permanent left ventricular assist device. Herein, we report a middle-age patient with refractory acute-on chronic cardiogenic shock supported by a low-invasive left ventricle assist device Impella 5.5 ® for the longest known duration in the literature as a successful bridge to left ventricular assist device implantation. While Impella support, the patient remained extubated and conscious, received regular physical therapy and was mobile on the ward. He wanted to wait as long as possible for an heart transplantation. Since waiting for a suitable donor organ any longer was no realistic option, a permanent left ventricular assist device was implanted successfully with over 1 year follow-up.
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Strecker et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Refractory acute-on-chronic cardiogenic shock (n=1). Impella 5.5 assist device was evaluated on Bridge to permanent left ventricular assist device implantation. Prolonged Impella 5.5 support successfully bridged 1 patient with refractory cardiogenic shock to permanent LVAD implantation with >1 year survival.
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