Standardization of Impella®-assisted patient management

The presence of high-risk features on candidates to percutaneous revascularization is increasingly leading to Impella®-assisted procedures (IAPs). While IAPs are safe and effective procedures, they still require managing a degree of complexity. Clinicians often rely on their ability to recall every step of operative procedures. However, during stressful situations, levels of cognitive function are compromised leading to planning and execution failures and decreased safety. Many high-risk activities such as aviation, aerospace industry, and nuclear plants have been using protocols, standardized procedures and checklists for many years. The purpose of the present article is to make a proposal for the standardization of ordinary medical activities required outside the Cath Lab for the management of patients before and after IAPs.