Acute Mitral Regurgitation: Unforeseen New Complication of the Impella LP 5.0 Ventricular Assist Device and Review of Literature

Impella LP 5.0 (Abiomed) is a relatively new technology that has been used over the last few years as a ventricular assist device to provide full circulatory support for patients presenting with cardiogenic shock. There is limited evidence available in literature with regard to insertion approaches, safety, complications and long-term clinical outcomes. Complications that have been reported are device malfunction, pump displacement, intravascular haemolysis, intra-ventricular thrombosis, functional mitral stenosis due to displacement and local vascular complications at vascular access site. We report here the first case with acute mitral regurgitation due to chordal rupture and flail mitral valve leaflet as a result of Impella device displacement, a new complication. Review of literature is also reported.