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Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
Simultaneous therapy with pressure-controlled intermittent coronary sinus occlusion and left ventricular support
Erick D Martinez Maldonado1, Guillermo Bastos Fernandez1, Berenice Caneiro Queija1
1Cardiology Department, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, University Hospital of Vigo, Estrada Clara Campoamor 341, Vigo, Pontevedra 36312, Spain.
Insights
This study reports the first simultaneous use of the PiCSO® system and Impella CP® device during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This combination offers potential for reduced myocardial damage in select patients undergoing complex PCI.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary angioplasty with the PiCSO® system show reduced infarct size.
- Simultaneous use of PiCSO® and Impella CP® in high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been previously documented.
Observation:
- A 76-year-old male with severe, calcified left main coronary disease and impaired left ventricular function underwent high-risk PCI.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting was not a viable option due to prohibitive surgical risk.
Findings:
- Successful high-risk PCI was achieved using both PiCSO® and Impella CP® concurrently.
- The combined use provided mechanical circulatory support and mitigated distal microembolization during the procedure.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the feasibility and safety of combining PiCSO® and Impella CP® for simultaneous hemodynamic and microcirculatory support.
- This approach may reduce post-PCI myocardial damage in carefully selected high-risk PCI patients.
Background:
Previous studies in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty and supported by the PiCSO® system have shown a modest yet significant absolute reduction in the infarcted myocardial area. However, the simultaneous use of PiCSO® and Impella CP® during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures has not been reported.
Case Summary:
A 76-year-old Caucasian man presented with severe and highly calcified left main coronary disease and severely depressed left ventricular function. As coronary bypass surgery was deemed prohibitive, successful PCI was performed with the simultaneous use of PiCSO® and Impella CP® to mitigate damage from distal microembolization and provide mechanical circulatory support to the left ventricle during the high-risk PCI procedure.
Discussion:
Our case exemplifies for the first time the simultaneous use of PiCSO® and Impella CP® during a high-risk PCI. This case suggests the feasibility and safety of combining both devices for mechanical haemodynamic and microcirculatory support simultaneously in specific cases during high-risk PCI, offering hope for reducing post-PCI myocardial damage in a selected population of patients.
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