A prospective feasibility trial investigating the use of the Impella 2.5 system in patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (The PROTECT I Trial): initial U.S. experience.

We sought to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the Impella 2.5 system (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, Massachusetts) in patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The Impella 2.5 is a miniaturized percutaneous cardiac assist device, which provides up to 2.5 l/min forward flow from the left ventricle into the systemic circulation. In a prospective, multicenter study, 20 patients underwent high-risk PCI with minimally invasive circulatory support employing the Impella 2.5 system. All patients had poor left ventricular function (ejection fraction 10 min). The Impella 2.5 device was implanted successfully in all patients. The mean duration of circulatory support was 1.7 +/- 0.6 h (range: 0.4 to 2.5 h). Mean pump flow during PCI was 2.2 +/- 0.3 l/min. At 30 days, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events was 20% (2 patients had a periprocedural myocardial infarction; 2 patients died at days 12 and 14). There was no evidence of aortic valve injury, cardiac perforation, or limb ischemia. Two patients (10%) developed mild, transient hemolysis without clinical sequelae. None of the patients developed hemodynamic compromise during PCI. The Impella 2.5 system is safe, easy to implant, and provides excellent hemodynamic support during high-risk PCI. (The PROTECT I Trial; NCT00534859).