WVU Heart and Vascular Institute to host mobile learning lab Friday

The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute will host Abiomed's mobile learning lab from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital parking lot on Friday. WVU Medicine providers, especially cardiologists, nurses, and cath lab employees, are encouraged to check out the lab to get a firsthand look at the Impella heart pump and other innovative products used in cardiac care.

The Impella, known as the world's smallest heart pump, is a minimally-invasive device that aids patients during certain heart procedures. It is a temporary device that assists the heart in pumping blood to the body’s vital organs, allowing it to rest and potentially recover. The Impella heart pumps are approved by the FDA to provide treatment during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures and in the emergent treatment of cardiogenic shock, a condition that typically occurs during or after a heart attack.

The Impella heart pump is the only therapy approved by the FDA as safe and effective for heart recovery in patients with advanced heart failure requiring Protected PCI or patients in cardiogenic shock due to a heart attack.

Abiomed will offer interactive demonstrations about the Impella platform that show how these heart pumps can be used for patients in critical need of cardiac support. The lab contains various Impella simulators, animations, and key information, all presented by a team of Abiomed trainers.