Memorial Satilla Heart Center announces new procedure for patients

Memorial Satilla Health is proud to announce the addition of a new procedure to the hospital’s Heart Center services.

Expertly-trained interventional cardiologists, Dr. Timothy Catchings and Dr. Eduardo Venegas, are now inserting the Impella heart pump for patients whose hearts need a chance to rest and recover.

“Impella is a crucial tool in our arsenal, acting as a vital temporary aid for hearts that need a moment to rest and recover. This will give a struggling heart a fighting chance to heal, to regain its natural strength, and to allow patients to return to a fulfilling life,” said Dr. Venegas.

Impella pumps can increase survival rates to 70-80 percent when used effectively. 

"We are continually seeking the most advanced and effective ways to care for our patients. I am proud of this enhancement to our cardiovascular services,” added Dr. Catchings.

This tiny heart pump is an effective treatment for a severe form of heart failure called cardiogenic shock, and is used for some heart catheterization procedures as well. The pump is typically inserted through the large femoral artery in the groin and ultimately rests across the heart’s aortic valve with an inlet on one side and an outlet on the other.  A small motor powers a propeller that pulls blood from the left ventricle of a patient and supplies all the vital organs until that heart is recovered and the device can be removed.