Impella Heart Pump Lawsuits

Neumann Law Group is investigating claims of those suffering from heart disease have been injured or killed due to major defects in Impella Heart Pumps manufactured by Abiomed, now known as Johnson & Johnson Med Tech. These devices were designed as a tool for doctors to help support heart function after major cardiac events. It is designed to assist the ventricles and to reduce the workload on the heart. The goal of this device to promote healing; however, the manufacturers of the Impella Heart Pump failed to warn their patients and their doctors about the serious risk of the Impella pump puncturing the heart. This critical defect has caused the deaths of at least 50 people to date and has seriously injured almost 150.

What Is an Impella Heart Pump?

An Impella heart pump is a medical device that is designed to support the heart of those with severely weakened cardiac functions. This device can be used after serious heart attacks, stent placements, and to stand as support for those awaiting a heart transplant. The device is inserted through a large artery and is channeled into the aorta into the left ventricle—or chamber—of the heart. The goal is to increase blood flow and support circulation.

How Is the Impella Heart Pump Harming Patients?

Although the manufacturer of Impella heart pumps, Johnson & Johnson, is blaming doctors for medical error causing the injuries to patients and have advised them to use caution while implanting the catheters. Dr. Rita F. Redberg at University of California, San Francisco said in response “To say that you’re addressing 49 deaths by saying ‘be careful’ is not addressing the problem at all.”

Despite their position that doctors are the problem, Johnson & Johnson and Impella proceeded to recall several models of their heart pumps. On March 21, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration identified the recalled heart pumps as a Class I recall the most serious class of recalls.

The FDA acknowledged that the catheter in specific models of the Impella heart pumps were more likely to result in cutting of the left heart wall, resulting in high blood pressure, lost blood flow, and death. The FDA warned against use of Impella heart pumps in patients who have organ failure, neurologic injuries, and other unstable conditions.

This is not the first recall that Johnson & Johnson, Abiomed, and Impella have made on this product, dating back to 2022; however, they still advertise, market, and sell this product claiming that it is safe for consumers. Again, they are of the opinion that doctors need to “be careful”, but it is clear from the history of this device, it is not the fault of our doctors. Impella has a history of selling devices that did not pass quality inspections in 2024, resulting in another recall.

The Impella heart pumps referenced below are still available for the use of doctors and patients despite the risk of heart wall perforations:

Impella CP
Impella 5.5
Impella RP

The following Impella heart pumps are no longer on the market, but may still be used by doctors and hospitals despite their risk of heart wall perforations:

Impella 2.5
Impella 5.0
Impella LD

HAVE YOU OR A LOVED ONE BEEN INJURED BY AN IMPELLA HEART PUMP?
CALL NEUMANN LAW GROUP TODAY FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION

If you or a loved one have ever been treated with an Impella heart pump and suffered injury or death due to its critical product defect? If you believe that you are suffering from any damages due to a Impella Heart Pump, please contact your physician immediately and talk to a Product Liability injury attorney at the Neumann Law Group. You may qualify to file a claim for product liability and negligence.

The potential settlement amounts in product liability lawsuits can include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of filial consortium, pain and suffering, and other factors. These amounts will vary case to case and a personal injury attorney can help to get the largest possible settlement for you and your loved ones. Call the Neumann Law Group today at 800-525-6386 to begin an evaluation of your Impella Heart Pump claim today.