UK multisociety consensus statement on the emergency management and resuscitation of patients with left-sided Impella support
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Authors
Akhtar, Waqas
Bowles, Christopher T.
Costanzo, Pierluigi
Deakin, Charles D.
Elliot, Pauline
Eladawy, Mostafa
Gardner, Roy S.
Govier, Matthew
Handslip, Rhodri
Hill, Jonathan
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2025
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The use of left-sided Impella microaxial flow pumps has expanded rapidly for the management of cardiogenic shock, left ventricular unloading and as a bridge to heart transplantation. However, standard life support and resuscitation algorithms are not directly applicable to patients receiving this therapy due to fundamental alterations in circulatory physiology. To address this gap, eleven UK Impella centres and eight national professional societies collaborated to develop a unified national consensus statement on the emergency management of patients with left-sided Impella support. Using a systematic review of the literature and a modified Delphi process guided by the European Society of Cardiology framework for grading recommendations, expert representatives achieved agreement on key priorities and structured actions to be undertaken in the first few minutes of resuscitation.The consensus outlines early recognition of circulatory inadequacy (mean arterial pressure <30 mm Hg or end-tidal CO2 <2 kPa), prompt activation of multidisciplinary responders, reduction of Impella power to P2 before initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation and structured division of patient-focused and device-focused teams. Device-specific troubleshooting algorithms are presented for suction, malposition, purge-system failure and mechanical malfunction. This multisociety consensus represents the first national standard for emergency management and resuscitation of patients supported by a left-sided Impella device and is intended to inform structured clinical training and improve patient outcomes through rapid, coordinated and physiologically tailored interventions.
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Heart (British Cardiac Society)