Alteplase Purge Solution for Impella 5.5 Ventricular Assist Device Purge System Occlusion: Case Report and Review of...

The use of an alteplase (Activase) purge solution to address Impella ventricular assist device "thrombosis" or "purge system occlusion" has been mainly documented with earlier generation Impella devices (CP, 2.5, 5.0). Here, we report the use of an alteplase purge solution to manage Impella 5.5 purge system occlusion in a 31-year-old male admitted to the cardiac care unit in cardiogenic shock and listed for a heart transplant. Throughout the purge system occlusion, the patient demonstrated hemodynamic stability and overall pump flow and cardiac output were preserved. Initially, there was a lack of response in purge flow and pressure observed at the lower concentration of alteplase purge solution (0.04 mg/ml), yet after using the alteplase 4 mg/50 ml purge (0.08 mg/ml) solution concentration, a response was seen. No bleeding or hemodynamic complications were observed. In addition, a suggested management workflow and review of the case reports and case series published to date regarding Impella purge system occlusion is included in this article.