Abstract 4142470: Clinical management of select patients with surgically implanted Impella 5.5 left ventricular assist devices on a cardiovascular step-down unit

Introduction: Surgically implanted Impella 5.5 percutaneous left ventricular assist device utilization is increasing. Most centers manage Impella 5.5 patients exclusively in the ICU; however, there are concerns regarding prolonged ICU bed utilization in clinically stable patients. This study evaluates our experience managing Impella 5.5 patients in a stepdown unit (SDU). Methods: In January 2023, select patients with Impella 5.5 at our institution were admitted to a SDU after ≥24 hours in the ICU post implant. Eligible patients had no significant bleeding, device issues, or ongoing hypoperfusion. Demographics, hemodynamics, outcomes, and adverse events ( Fig ) were collected retrospectively and adjudicated by multidisciplinary clinician review. Results: Between Jan 1, 2023 and Mar 31, 2024, a total of 64 patients with Impella 5.5 were managed at our institution. Of these, 42 (66%) were managed in SDU for a median (IQR) of 11 (7, 21) days (range 1-82), totaling 733 of 1055 (69%) Impella-days. SDU patients with Impella 5.5 had a median age of 60 (50, 63) years, were mostly male (55%), non-ischemic (79%), and presented with Stage C (52%) or D (43%) shock. Impella strategy in SDU patients was bridge to transplant in 60% (n=25), to decision in 31% (n=13), to durable LVAD in 8% (n=3), and for VT ablation support in 1% (n=1). Five (12%) patients required transfer back to the ICU for escalation of care. Impella 5.5 patients on SDU experienced a total of 28 adverse events (0.027 events per Impella-day), with >1 adverse event in 16/42 (38%) patients ( Fig ). Twenty-eight (67%) SDU patients underwent heart transplant and 10 (24%) underwent LVAD implant during the hospitalization. One patient died during their hospital course, in whom care was withdrawn due to lack of a destination option. Conclusions: For select patients with Impella 5.5 who met institutional criteria, transfer to a SDU was feasible and safe. This strategy may increase ICU throughput and optimize resource allocation.