This new minimally invasive heart procedure is already saving lives

A new, minimally invasive procedure at Emplify Health by Gundersen's Heart Institute in La Crosse, Wis., is already having life-saving results. Since fall of 2024, the Heart Institute’s cardiologists and care teams have begun using mechanical right-sided support such as the Impella RP to treat serious and often fatal illnesses.

What is mechanical right-sided heart support?

Right-sided heart support, such as the Impella RP, is a catheter pump inserted in a patient’s heart through a minimally invasive procedure. It pumps blood from the right side of your heart to your pulmonary artery and to the lungs. 

It can be used to help patients with critical and near-fatal illnesses and conditions such as:

• Massive saddle pulmonary embolism
• Right ventricular infarction
• Severe right-sided heart failure

Is mechanical right-sided heart support better than previous treatment options?

Yes. The device is easy to insert and can replace the need for venous-to-venous heart and lung machines, which are labor-intensive and applicable to only a small number of patients. The RVAD is available to larger groups of critically ill patients. 

Have providers seen better outcomes with patients in life-threatening conditions?

Yes. In addition to allowing for a larger group of patients to receive the treatment, it has helped patients in several particularly critical conditions. Recently, providers at Emplify Health by Gundersen’s Heart Institute suffered cardiogenic shock, a life-threatening condition when the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to meet the needs of a patient’s body. By inserting the RP Impella device, the patient survived and was later able to go home. 

How can I learn more about the treatment options provided by Emplify Health by Gundersen's heart care experts?

Patients looking to learn more about the many treatment options provided by Emplify Health by Gundersen may go to our cardiology page or call (608) 782-7300 to get connected.