Outcomes of systemic bivalirudin and sodium bicarbonate purge solution for Impella 5.5. Issue 2 (31st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bashline, Michael; DiBridge, Julie; Klass, Wyatt J.; Morelli, Brian; Kaczorowski, David; Schmidhofer, Mark; Horn, Edward T.; Gomez, Hernando; Ramanan, Raj; Hickey, Gavin W.; Rivosecchi, Ryan M.
• Is Part Of: Artificial organs. Volume 47:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 369
• Publication Date: 2022-10-31
• Subjects: antithrombotic therapy -- cardiac assist and artificial heart -- cardiac surgery -- cardiothoracic surgery -- purge solution -- VAD axial flow; Artificial organs -- Periodicals; 617.956
• DOI: 10.1111/aor.14428
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-564X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Impella 5.5 (Abiomed; Danvers, MA) (IMP5) is a commonly used, surgically implanted, tMCS device that requires systemic anticoagulation and purge solution to avoid pump failure. To avoid heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) from unfractionated heparin (UFH) use, our program has explored the utility of bivalirudin (BIV) for systemic anticoagulation and sodium bicarbonate‐dextrose purge solution (SBPS) in IMP5.5. Methods: This single center, retrospective study included 34 patients supported on IMP5.5 with BIV based AC and SBPS between December 1st 2020 to December 1st 2021.The efficacy and safety end points were incidence of development of HIT, Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) use for suspected pump thrombosis, stroke, and device failure as well as clinically significant bleeding. Results: The median duration of IMP5.5 support was 9.8 days (IQR: 6–15). Most patients were bridged to HTX (58%) followed by recovery (27%) and LVAD implantation (15%). Patients were therapeutic on bivalirudin for 64% of their IMP5.5 support. One patient (2.9%) suffered from ischemic stroke and 26.5% (9) patients developed clinically significant bleeding. tPA was administered to 7(21%) patients. One patient in the entire cohort developed HIT. Conclusions: Our experience supports the use of systemic BIV and SBPS as a method to avoid heparin exposure in a patient population predisposed to the development of HIT. Abstract :