There are some risks with the Impella^®, but your care team will work hard to keep you safe. Learning about potential complications helps you know what to watch for and when to contact your care team.

Infections

The insertion site must stay clean and covered. Your care team will do frequent sterile dressing changes. Signs of infection include redness, pain, drainage, swelling, warmth, or fever. If infection spreads to the blood, it is called sepsis or bacteremia and will require IV antibiotics.

Strokes

Blood clots or bleeding in the brain can cause a stroke. Notify your care team right away if you notice: unusual headaches, numbness or tingling on one side, weakness on one side, slurred speech, uneven facial movements, or pupil size differences.

Bleeding

Blood thinners increase your risk of bleeding. Nose bleeds are common — hold pressure at the bridge of your nose for 10 minutes. Serious belly bleeds (GI bleeds) are rare but may show as black stools, vomiting blood, or belly pain. Tell your care team immediately.

Hemolysis

When red blood cells break down inside the pump — this is called hemolysis. Your care team monitors your urine color and lab results. Signs include pink, red, or tea-colored urine. Settings or medicines may be adjusted if this occurs.

Pump Clots

A clot inside the pump can affect how well it works. If adjusting blood thinner medicine does not help, the pump may need to be replaced.

Right Heart Failure

The right side of the heart must pump blood to the left side for the Impella^® to work properly. If it does not, you may need IV medicines or even a second pump to support the right side.

Limb Ischemia

An Impella^® in an artery can sometimes reduce blood flow to the arm or leg where the catheter was placed. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, or discoloration in the hand or foot. Tell your care team right away if you notice any of these signs.