Successful cases of percutaneous left ventricular assist device “Impella” to fulminant myocarditis

Abstract

Background: Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is a form of severe inflammatory carditis with rapidly developing acute heart failure. Case presentation: We report three cases of successful intensive treatment by Impella of FM without any complications. In all cases, impairment of microcirculation as measured by blood lactate level and the hemodynamic value as indicated by cardiac index were improved within 24–48 h and 7 days after Impella implantation, respectively. Interestingly, our data also suggested that treatment by Impella CP or 5.0 may lead to faster recovery of microcirculation and cardiac function than treatment by Impella 2.5. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the appropriate selection of Impella devices guided by body surface area measurements may help to improve clinical outcomes of severe heart failure including FM.