A recent analysis using Truveta Data reveals that patients undergoing high-risk, non-emergency heart procedures (percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI) with support from the Impella heart pump had better outcomes than those supported with an intra-aortic balloon pump. Researchers presented the study at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2025 Scientific Sessions.
By evaluating Truveta Data from 2017 to 2024, researchers compared two groups of patients undergoing elective, high-risk PCI procedures: those supported with the Impella device and those supported with a balloon pump. The analysis excluded patients who were admitted for emergency conditions, such as heart attacks, cardiogenic shock, or who required open-heart surgery. Using propensity score matching, researchers accounted for differences in patient characteristics, such as age, heart failure history, diabetes, and baseline heart function.
Key findings
- Heart function improvement: Patients treated with the Impella device showed a significantly greater improvement in heart function, as measured by ejection fraction within one year of the procedure. On average, heart function improved by 9 percentage points for the Impella group, compared to 4 percentage points for the balloon pump group.
- Lower mortality rates: Within 30 days of the procedure, patients supported by Impella had a lower mortality rate (12%) compared to those supported by a balloon pump (20%).
- No significant differences in complications: Rates of kidney injury and bleeding that required transfusion were similar between both groups.
Why this matters
This analysis is one of the largest real-world studies to date comparing mechanical support devices in high-risk heart procedures, made possible using the broad and diverse patient population available in Truveta Data.
The findings suggest that using the Impella heart pump may offer both a survival benefit and improved heart function recovery in elective high-risk PCI cases—particularly valuable insights for cardiologists making treatment decisions for complex patients.
