Bellvitge Hospital, a pioneer in Spain in using an innovative percutaneous heart pump

The Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology Unit of the Cardiology Service of Bellvitge University Hospital, led by Dr. Joan Antoni Gómez Hospital, has been the first in Spain to use a new model of mechanical ventricular care for percutaneous implantation. The main novelty of this new model, called iVAC 2L, is that it pumps blood from the left ventricle to the aortic artery in sync with the natural rhythm of the patient’s heart cycle, making it less aggressive and more efficient.

Specialists in the unit, who implanted the first of these devices on February 2 and have recently successfully addressed the fourth case, detail that this system allows for circulatory mechanical support to the heart during high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions. Thus, it allows percutaneous procedures to treat narrowing of the arteries of the heart (angioplasties) with the security of keeping the patient hemodynamically stable (without significant decrease in blood pressure) during the operation. Specifically, it is indicated in patients with moderate or severe left ventricular function, multivessel coronary heart disease, or left coronary artery disease. The device is inserted through the femoral artery.

The tip of the catheter is positioned in the left ventricle (position that constitutes the suction point), and the bidirectional mechanical valve is located at the height of the ascending aorta, just at the height of the coronary arteries (position that constitutes the ejection point).

The external pump is then activated, which synchronizes with the patient's electrocardiogram or aortic pressure, and pumps the blood during the entire treatment, aspirating the blood during systole and ejecting it into the ascending aorta during the diastole. Once the high-risk treatment is over, the ventricular support is removed.

This technology does not require a long learning to specialists, as its assembly and preparation are not complex compared to other similar devices. In addition, catheter implantation and repositioning techniques, if necessary, are quick, easy, and safe.