In a first in Western UP, ‘Impella-smallest heart pump’ used to treat multiple severe heart blockages in a 62-year-old man at Fortis Noi

Noida, 15 June 2022: In a first in Western UP, Fortis Hospital Noida successfully performeda complex angioplasty/stenting with the help of Impella – the smallest heart pump on a 62-year-old man who had been complaining of chest pain and breathlessness while walking.The patient had undergone angioplasty and stenting of the right artery 4 years back at Fortis Hospital Noida.However, since the last two years, he was suffering from breathlessness and used to have chest pain and suffocation whenever he walked.

Upon admission to the hospital, based on the symptoms, the man underwent an echocardiogram, which showed reduced heart function(LVEF 30-35%) and moderate leakage of themitral valve*.An angiogram was done on the patientto see how the previous stent was functioning or if any new blockage was present in the left side of the artery. The angiogram revealed a critical triple vessel disease with 90% blockage in the left main artery of the heart with more than 3 significant blockages.The patient also suffered from high blood pressure and was on medication where he used to consume 3 to 4 medicines per day for the last 8 to 10 years.

In view of his compromised lung functiondue to a history of smoking and high-risk bypass surgery, a multi-vessel angioplasty was offered to him by using a miniature heart pump- Impellato support the heart function during the procedure.Impella is used when heart function is low, and multiple stenting is required.

Talking about the case, Dr Ajay Kaul, Chairman, Cardiac Sciences and DrSanjeev Gera, HOD & Director, Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Noida said, “This case is not rare as we see many cases of multiple blockages which actually are dealt with bypass surgeries which is a gold standard procedure for multiple blockages. But the challenge, in this case was that the patient was a past smoker and his lungs were not in good condition for a bypass surgery. He was advised Impella assisted angioplasty (protected PCI) because of high risk in bypass surgery.”

Dr Gera, elaborated further, “We decided to use IMPELLA 2.5 because the pumping function of the heart was around 30%-35%(ejection fraction) and there was some valve leakage. After medical stabilization the patient was taken for ‘multivessel angioplasty’ with Impella. Impella was implanted in his left-ventricular through the left leg femoral artery so as to assist his heart function and to reduce procedure risk. He underwent angioplasty with 4 stentsover 3 hours under intravascular ultrasound guidance. While doing main artery stenting, his heart stopped for few seconds which was taken care of by ‘Impella’. The procedure went very well and the device was removed after 1 hour. The patient was shifted to CCU for 24-hour monitoring. Rest of the hospital stay went very well, with his heart function increasing to 40% after 2 days. He was discharged in stable condition after 2 days.”

Talking about the clinical achievement, Mohit Singh, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital Noida said, “Fortis Hospital Noida has all the advanced healthcare technology and an expert team of doctors to perform and manage high-risk heart procedures. Impella is one of the best and latest innovations in the field of cardiology and heart failure.Under the expert leadership and guidance of Dr. Sanjeev Gera, HOD & Director, Cardiology,theprocedure was successful. I applaud the team of doctors for performing this high-risk procedure quite meticulously.”

About Fortis Healthcare Limited  

“Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare organizations in the country with 27 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), 4100 operational beds and over 419 diagnostics centres (including JVs). Fortis is present in India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Sri Lanka. The Company is listed on the BSE Ltd and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It draws strength from its partnership with global major and parent company, IHH, to build upon its culture of world-class patient care and superlative clinical excellence. Fortis employs 23,000 people (including SRL) who share its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wide range of ancillary services.”