Full percutaneous biventricular support with two Impella pumps: the Bi-Pella approach

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is used for acute respiratory distress syndrome, refractory cardiogenic shock, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with uncertain neurological status, and, until recently, it was the only minimally invasive option to achieve biventricular support. However, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation increases left ventricular afterload and requires systemic anticoagulation, which is a major contraindication in the context of thrombolytic therapy following an ischaemic stroke. Conversely, the Impella heart pumps by design unload the ventricle and require minimal anticoagulation. We report the first case of mechanical circulatory supported with Impella CP on the left and Impella RP on the right (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, MA) for acute biventricular failure due to suspected acute myocarditis in the context of thrombolytic therapy for ischaemic stroke.