Abiomed, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD), a leading provider of breakthrough heart recovery and support technologies, announced the Impella 2.5®, Impella CP® and Impella 5.0® heart pumps received Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) approval in India for use during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), cardiogenic shock, and other reduced left ventricular function conditions. The first patient was treated with the Impella 2.5 heart pump at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in New Delhi.
Ashok Seth, MD treated the first patient, an 86 year old man who was too high risk for heart surgery and presented with severe, recurrent chest pain and multiple comorbidities. A diagnostic catheterization demonstrated blockages of more than 90% in three left coronary arteries as well as distal disease. Dr. Seth performed a Protected PCI procedure including atherectomy with Impella 2.5 support. The patient was weaned off support and after three days was discharged home with an improved quality of life.
Impella heart pumps stabilize the patient’s hemodynamics, unload the left ventricle, perfuse the end organs and promote recovery of the native heart. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in India1 and of those diagnosed with heart failure, 23% die within one year2.
“We are proud to be the first Heart Recovery Program in India,” said Ashok Seth, MD, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and Head, Cardiology Council, Fortis Group. “The Impella heart pump unloads the left ventricle and allows the heart to rest and recover so that patients may gain an improved quality of life. We look forward to providing access to protected revascularization to improve their cardiac function and subsequent quality of life for more patients with heart failure, cardiogenic shock or left ventricular dysfunction.”
“Abiomed is committed to expanding access to our heart recovery products around the world. We are moving forward to establish Heart Recovery Programs in India, starting with limited centers of excellence in New Delhi and Jaipur,” said Michael R. Minogue, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abiomed. “We commend the dedication of Dr. Seth and his team for providing advanced technology to improve outcomes for patients who now have the opportunity for an improved quality of life.”
