A Fort Smith hospital is celebrating its first procedure with the world's smallest heart pump.
On April 6, Sparks Regional Medical Center Interventional Cardiologist Nasser Adjei successfully used the Abiomed Impella 2.5 Heart Pump in an elderly patient with heart failure.
“Our team can now perform cutting-edge, life-saving cardiovascular procedures in a matter of minutes,” said Sparks Health System CEO Melody Trimble.
According to a hospital release, the tiny pump allows doctors to restore blood flow in people whose hearts are too weak for surgery.
“This is very beneficial for high-risk patients with heart failure” said Dr. Adjei.
Sparks officials say it is the only facility in the River Valley with the lifesaving technology, as well as being the regions only accredited Chest Pain Center. The Impella is also offered at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville and Springdale.