Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Short-Term Outcomes in Patients Following Protected High-Risk PCI

Surgical revascularization is still considered the gold standard for patients with complex coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. The advent of Impella has sparked growing interest, yet current evidence on its efficacy remains inconclusive. All studies reporting outcomes beyond 30 days outcomes of pPCI with any Impella device were included. Pooled effect of estimated outcomes was calculated according to a random-effect model with generic inverse variance weighting. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, rehospitalization for heart failure and stroke. Six studies globally encompassing 1,581 patients were included in the quantitative analysis. Median age was 70 years old (IQR 69 to 72) with a median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 27 % (SD ± 6) and a SYNTAX SCORE of 31 (IQR 29 to 35). Impella 2.5 was the most common micro axial flow pump used to support high-risk PCI. All-cause of death was observed in 13.4% (95% CI: 10.4 to 16.4) of patients at 6 months median follow-up. Myocardial infarction occurred in 5.8% (95% CI 3.4 to 8.1) of patients, repeat revascularization in 9.1% (95% CI: 4.8 to 13.3) of patients, stroke in 1.6% (IQR 1.2 to 2.1) of patients and, finally, heart failure rehospitalization in 8.4% (95% CI 3.3 to 13.6) of patients. In conclusion, for high-risk patients, PCI with the Impella device represented a viable strategy with an acceptable risk profile when surgical revascularization is not an option, and a poor prognosis is predicted.