[Impella Implantation Technique for Surgeons].

Impella, a newly developed microaxial blood pump, has been used as a less invasive left ventricular assist device in more than 800 case in the last 18 months since its approval in Japan. Our experiences in 26 patients indicated that it improved not only cardiac output, but also cardiac function, which resulted in cardiac recovery in 16 patients. In this article technical knack and pitfalls including vascular approach and catheter manipulation during implantation, exchange, and explantation of Impella were described. Cardiovascular surgeons who know the detail of the techniques may play a crucial role in successful less invasive mechanical circulatory support for cardiogenic shock patients.