Successful use of Impella 5.5 to manage cardiogenic shock complicated by COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Acute decompensated heart failure in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is becoming increasingly common.

Aims: In this case report, we describe the successful use of an Impella 5.5 (Abiomed) to treat cardiogenic shock refractory to inotropic therapy.

Materials & methods: Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography confirmed severely diminished left ventricular ejection fraction and a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction test revealed that the patient was COVID-19 positive during his hospital admission.

Results: Following initiation of inotropic therapy, we placed an Impella 5.5 for further cardiac support. The patient's LVEF and cardiac index improved after 21 days on the Impella 5.5 and was maintained following explant.

Discussion & conclusion: The findings reported here demonstrate successful use of an Impella 5.5 to improve native heart function in refractory cardiogenic shock and further indicate its use as an option for those in acute decompensated heart failure who have tested positive for COVID-19 infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; Impella 5.5; heart failure.