In a groundbreaking achievement, Scarborough Health Network (SHN) has become the first non-cardiac surgical centre in Ontario to successfully use an Impella pump – the world’s tiniest heart pump. The Impella pump greatly reduces the risk of complications and improves survival for patients with significant coronary artery disease requiring intervention or heart failure at risk of death. The Impella pump takes over the blood pumping duties of the heart while the cardiologist repairs blocked arteries. The use of this innovative technology, reduces patient mortality rates by 25 per cent, marking a significant milestone for SHN and the communities of
Scarborough and Durham.

This leap forward started with a first step

The journey to this historic moment began with extensive practice and expertise gained by SHN’s Dr. Mark Davis, who applied this novel technology while working at a hospital in the United States. Recognizing the potential of the Impella pump, the Interventional Cardiology team advocated for its adoption at SHN, with Dr. Davis stating, “We need this. It’s a complete game-changer.”

From the introduction of the concept to the first patient application, the process was completed in just 2.5 months, an incredible feat, involving the development of entirely new orders and procedures in SHN’s Epic clinical information system. It was a collaboration across four programs: Lab, Pharmacy, ICU, and Interventional Cardiology. The team, supported by Dr. Amir Janmohamed, Chief and Medical Director of Cardiology as well as Dr. Martin Betts, Chief and Medical Director of ICU, worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the project. The dedication and teamwork paid off, with the first case carried out by Drs. Mark Davis, Chris Li, Shane Parfey and Jenny Namkoong being a tremendous
success.

“This is a monumental step forward for SHN,” said Dr. Elaine Yeung, Chief of Staff and CMIO at SHN. 

“The successful use of the Impella pump not only showcases our physicians and nurses’ commitment to innovation but also our dedication to providing the best possible care for our patients.”

Impella makes SHN an option closer to home

SHN is already a leader in cardiac care, home to the designated cardiac centre for the Scarborough-Durham region. Offering the most comprehensive range of cardiac services to local and surrounding communities, SHN hosts a network of dedicated cardiologists who provide exceptional quality care. However, the absence of this pump meant certain cases had to be sent to a cardiovascular surgical center rather than being treated locally here in Scarborough.

Now, SHN is able to perform more complex and “risky” procedures that were not previously available to the Scarborough and Durham areas. This technology stabilizes patients with or without the need to open arteries, enabling them to be treated locally with improved outcomes, or to be safely transferred to a cardiovascular surgical center if complications arise. The availability of this technology and the enhanced expertise of the SHN Cardiac team at a non-cardiovascular surgical site is more important than at other cardiac centers which may have alternative options with the support of their cardiovascular surgical teams.

The successful use of the Impella pump is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care.

This first case provides a clear proof-of-concept that the team will now use to expand SHN’s use of the Impella pump. Plans are in place to undertake more procedures as needed and grow the number of patients SHN is able to help.