Geisinger installs catheter-based cardiac assist device, Impella 2.5

Dec 8 2009

A minimally invasive, catheter-based cardiac assist device - the Impella 2.5 - is credited with saving the life of 86-year-old Rose Lombardo of Hazleton. Grandmother to seven and great-grandmother to another 12, Rose was "at death's door" after suffering concurrent heart attacks, according to her daughter, Gabriella Norgard.

"Rose's heart arteries were narrowed by over 90%, severely compromising her circulation and heart function," noted John McB. Hodgson, M.D., cardiologist and co-director, Geisinger Heart Institute. "To restore blood flow to the heart, we needed to open her arteries and insert several drug-coated stents, wire mesh tubes that prop open arteries. It's like cleaning out the gas lines to a car engine."

According to Dr. Hodgson the Impella device essentially took over the pumping action of Lombardo's weakened heart until her arteries were cleared.

Dr. Hodgson explained that the Impella, which is among the smallest and most powerful heart pumps on the market, was inserted into the patient's left ventricle using a standard guidewire through the femoral artery. It then continued into the ascending aorta, across the valve and into the left ventricle to protect her while the heart catheterization team worked at clearing her arteries.

Norgard said her mother's heart problems came on quickly. "Over the past few months she experienced increasing episodes of shortness of breath on exertion, fatigue and angina. Then, she suffered two small heart attacks."

Lombardo's grandson drove her to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center's Pearsall Heart Hospital, where Norgard says her mother was fortunate to meet Dr. Hodgson. "We didn't think there was anything anyone could do for her and he gave us all hope," she said.

The Impella was inserted to help her heart pump blood and oxygen through her system, but was removed shortly after the artery clearing procedure.

"We weren't sure our mom would make it," Norgard explained. "But when the device was removed, her heart started pumping normally again. And the best part was her chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue were gone."

After two days in the hospital, Lombardo is back home and enjoying the company of the family she adores and tackling the word puzzles she enjoys. She walks with a cane for support, but is otherwise on the mend. Repeated echocardiography testing shows her heart function is almost back to normal.

"I woke up thinking I had been sleeping for a couple of hours," Rose said. "Then I saw the date written on the board and realized I missed a couple of days."

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