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Healthy Living: World’s Smallest Heart Pump

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Every 40 seconds in the United States, someone has a heart attack.

One of the most serious complications is a condition called cardiogenic shock where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.

Now the world’s tiniest heart pump with smart assist is helping doctors save and strengthen a patient’s own heart. Courtney Doyle explains in Healthy Living.

Dr. Mark Anderson, interim chief of cardiac surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center, says the Impella 5.5 also allows patients to get up and walk around after the device is implanted so that speeds the recovery process. The pump is designed to work within a patient’s body for up to 14 days before it is removed.

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