Impellas in the Cardiac ICU
They are a common mechanical support device used for severe cardiogenic shock that helps “vent” the left ventricule. This off-loading of the LV helps increase cardiac contractility, increases coronary blood flow, and also can help the right ventricule by decreasing left atrial pressure and therefore decreases the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.
Suction events can happen with hypovolemia in the LV or malposition of the impella device. This video goes through how to troubleshoot this scenario, utilizing bedside ultrasound to diagnose the underlying problem.
#anesthesia #surgery #medicine #cardiology #icu #nurses #heartfailure #impella #criticalcare #medschool #onlinemeded #meded #foamed
