First high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention under use of the iVAC2l system in Germany.

Percutaneous coronary intervention of complex stenoses is becoming more and more of an alternative to coronary bypass surgery. Nevertheless, complications can occur and lead to the need for circulatory support and/or emergency surgery. Circulatory support devices like the intra-aortic balloon pump showed only low benefit in patients' outcome. Devices with higher cardiac output necessitate more complex implantation procedures. We report the case of the first successful use of a transfemoral pulsatile ventricular assist device with up to 2 l additional cardiac output during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention in a 74-year-old man with complex stenosis. The device was safe and feasible during coronary intervention in its use. Its beneficial effect on hemodynamics and patients' outcome has to be evaluated in larger multicenter studies.