Billings Clinic utilizes ‘world’s smallest heart pump’

Abiomed Impella 2.5 allows cardiologists to perform arterial repair on high risk patients

Billings, MT— Billings Clinic becomes the first hospital in Montana to successfully use the Impella 2.5, a break-through heart support technology from Abiomed that provides temporary circulatory support and reduces the workload of the heart muscle via a minimally invasive, catheter-based pump. This new, pencil-sized device helps blood flow in patients with severe heart failure or cardiogenic shock.

This device allows Billings Clinic cardiologists to offer new hope for patients who are critically ill from heart failure. The Impella 2.5 pump – often referred to as the world’s smallest heart pump - is inserted via catheter through a small incision in the patient's femoral artery. Once in the left ventricle of the heart, the pump circulates large quantities of blood through the body, supplementing the pumping action of the patient's heart.

Within minutes of insertion, the Impella device can increase the blood flow level in the heart enough to administer a more permanent treatment that the patient may otherwise be unable to receive, such as stent therapy, valve treatment, or serve as a bridge to heart surgery.

Scott Sample, DO, FACC and Chair of Cardiovascular Services at Billings Clinic, says the Impella 2.5 will ensure the safest and most effective treatment for patients with the most advanced diseases. “Our community of patients and partners deserve the best therapies available. The investment in this technology meets our commitment to our patients and is a further demonstration of our commitment to be the destination center for cardiovascular care in the region.”

Billings Clinic is the only accredited Chest Pain Center in Montana and Wyoming through the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.