Impella® Procedure
Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute

Why is the doctor performing this procedure?
The Impella® is a temporary device used to aid the heart in pumping blood when a patient’s heart is determined too weak. The Impella® procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that is normally done to sustain the patient’s weak heart for another major surgery by providing temporary support for the heart muscle.

What is the procedure?
The Impella® is the world’s smallest and only minimally invasive, mechanical cardiovascular support system. The Impella® is a tiny pump inside a catheter, only 6.4 mm in diameter. It has an electric motor that can pump approximately 2.5 liters of blood per minute sustaining the heart for up to 7 days. This device is so small that it can be inserted into the patient’s heart through a small catheter placed through an artery in the leg. The pump is passed up the femoral artery in the leg and inserted into the left ventricle. X-rays are used to place the pump is in the right location. The pump uses an electrical motor attached to a 3mm wire which extends out of the patient, where it is connected to a battery and control pack the size of a small laptop computer.

Where is the procedure performed?
In the Cardiovascular Catheterization Lab, under local anesthesia

How long does this procedure take?
The Impella Procedure takes, 1-2 hours.

Which facilities perform this procedure?
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento