Tiny Heart Pump Offers Hope for High-Risk Patients in Need of Cardiac Surgeries
H igh-risk cardiac patients with clogged arteries in need of surgery, as well as patients in need of other cardiac procedures, can now benefit from the world’s smallest heart pump, called the Impella, which helps the heart pump blood throughout the body while surgery is being performed. Michael S. Flynn, MD, FACC, FSCAI, from the NCH Heart Institute and who is board- certified in interventional cardiovascular disease, says that many patients who are in need of life-saving cardiac surgeries are often disqualified from having the procedures because their hearts do not have the strength to support the body through the surgery. “The use of the Impella in these patients offers the opportunity for successful cardiac interventions,” says Dr. Flynn. “It shows how much advancement we have made in procedures for high-risk cardiogenic shock patients (patients with inadequate heart pumping function and severely low blood pressure).” The Impella heart pump can be placed into the heart using a catheter inserted into an artery in the leg – or it can be placed using traditional surgical methods. In addition to supporting heart pumping function during surgeries, the Impella can be left in place when patients experience continued heart pump function failure, explains Dr. Flynn. “So, instead of just giving
actual capacity of an average healthy
human heart, which pumps
between 5 and 7 liters of blood per minute. Although a new 5-liters per minute pump
Dr. Michael S. Flynn
is now in use in Europe, FDA approval is not expected in the United States for another year or two. “The pump is a temporary device,” explains Dr. Flynn. “The heart at rest puts about five liters per minute, so the 3.7-liter pump can nearly unload the left ventricle. It can be left in patients with cardiogenic shock for two to three days. For patients with high-risk angioplasty, it is left for less than one day, and for open-heart surgery patients, it may be in for three to five days.” Benefits to the high-risk heart patient: Less risk of death or disability More rapid recovery from procedures Avoidance of circulatory collapse and
patients a lot of adrenaline and intravenous medications, the pump can do a lot of the work, and allow for recovery, post-surgery.” According to Abiomed, the company making Impella, the pump works by unloading blood from the left ventricle and expelling it into the ascending aorta, which mimics the actual cardiac output of the heart muscle. Dr. Flynn says that in terms of output, the first Impella, introduced about five years ago, could pump approximately 2.5-liters of blood per minute. The newest Impella can handle 3.7-liters per minute, coming closer to the
arrest during the procedure Makes the procedure safer
For more information on the Impella pump and its role in supporting the heart through cardiac surgeries in high-risk patients, contact the NCH Heart Institute at (239) 624-4200 .
Stop Sneezing and End Suffering From Allergies
The NCH Physician Group welcomes Florina Neagu, MD, specialized in finding out what makes you sniffle, sneeze and scratch. A Board-Certified Allergy, Asthma and Immunology physician, she helps those looking for relief from seasonal allergens, skin problems, nose, sinus, eye allergies, asthma symptoms and hives, as well as others. Her goal is to improve a patient’s quality of life. “Patients are tired of feeling embarrassed that they have to take care of their nose while at dinner with friends,” says Dr. Neagu. “Nasal and ocular (eye) irritants and aeroallergens can cause a chronic cough, asthma and other respiratory conditions, while food allergies can cause severe systemic reactions (such as anaphylaxis), or rashes, eczema or even asthma. Without a diagnosis, patients are left to guess what will give them relief.” Dr. Neagu takes the guesswork out of diagnosis. After a patient interview, she recommends one of two diagnostic tests: a skin test or patch test for nasal and ocular symptoms, problems with foods or skin conditions, and a breathing test for chronic cough and asthma type problems. Both tests determine if there is an allergy or an adverse reaction. “By testing, we narrow down and categorize to see what kind of problem there is,” Dr. Neagu explains. “We diagnose if it’s an allergy or a skin irritant, and if it is a true food allergy or an adverse reaction to foods.”
While testing accuracy has vastly improved over the years, Dr. Neagu stresses that there is no cure for allergies. As part of her treatment plan, she teaches patients the best way to use medications and how to avoid triggers. The key is to control the allergy symptoms and see if allergy injections will be a good treatment plan for you. While relief won’t happen overnight, Dr. Neagu also offers these tips to those with seasonal allergies: Limit morning outdoor exposure. Pollen is moving around between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Florina Neagu, MD
Take a shower immediately after being outdoors. Wash from head to toe, including your hair, and change clothes. Use a nasal saline rinse. Pre-medicate before exposure. Take an antihistamine and use nasal spray when you know you’ll be around allergens. Determine a treatment plan with an allergy specialist.
SYMPTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION Some of these symptoms can be a sign of a life-threatening allergic reaction
Itchy, watery eyes Itchy nose Sneezing Runny nose Rashes Hives (a rash with raised red patches)
Wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe) Chest tightness and losing your breath Feeling faint, light-headed or “blacking out” A sense of “impending doom”
Stomach cramps Vomiting Diarrhea Bloating Swelling
Redness Pain Tongue swelling Cough Throat closing
Dr. Florina Neagu’s office is located at 1845 Veterans Park Dr., Suite 210, in North Naples . Call (239) 624-0530 for an appointment or for more information.
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