Newswise — 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.”
Geisinger is nationally recognized as being significantly faster - with better outcomes - than the national benchmark-of-excellence goal in providing angioplasty treatment to heart attack patients who arrive at the emergency department. In addition, it has a hospital-wide cardiac catheterization lab alert policy to expedite patient care. The Joint Commission also certifies the hospital as a primary stroke center with their 'Gold Seal of Approval'. This recognition is awarded to centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. Caption informationJohn McB. Hodgson, M.D., cardiologist and co-director, Geisinger Heart Institute, left, examines Rose Lombardo of Hazleton, who was the recipient of a minimally invasive, catheter-based cardiac assist device - the Impella 2.5 - after suffering concurrent heart attacks. The device is credited with saving her life.
About Geisinger Health SystemGeisinger is a $2.1 billion integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development and implementation of innovative care models including advanced medical home and ProvenCare ("warranty") program. The system serves more than 2 million residents throughout 41 counties in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org.
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