5.14
Instructions for Use & Clinical Reference Manual (US)
PERFORMANCE LEVELS
You can select one of ten performance levels (P0 to P9) as shown in Table 5.1. Flow rate is
increased by approximately 10% with every additional performance level, but depends on
preload and afterload and can vary due to suction or incorrect positioning. Select the lowest
performance level that will enable you to achieve the flow rate necessary for patient support.
Table 5.1 Performance Level Flow Rates
Performance Level
*Flow Rate (L/min)
P0
0.0
P1
0.0 – 1.2
P2
0.0 – 1.6
P3
0.0 – 2.0
P4
1.3 – 2.9
P5
1.6 – 3.1
P6
2.4 – 3.5
P7
3.0 – 4.0
P8
3.4 – 4.2
P9
3.9 – 4.4
*Flow rate depends on preload and afterload and can vary due to suction or incorrect positioning.
At performance levels between P1 and P6, the Impella
®
RP operates with a regularly recurring
rapid speed pulse. This minimizes stasis and reduces the risk of thrombosis in the motor area.
These pulses produce peaks in the placement signal but do not have any effect on the continuous
flow through the Impella
®
RP.
SUCTION
If suction is an issue, the flow displayed on the controller may be higher than the actual Impella
RP flow rate. If the suction alarm appears on the controller when the Impella RP is running
at P-levels between P7 and P9, decrease P-level to P6, or to P5 or P4, as needed, to resolve
suction. If the suction alarm continues when the P-level is between P4 and P6, momentarily stop
the Impella RP to resolve the suction issue and then restart it immediately.
Retrograde flow
Retrograde flow will
occur from the pulmonary
artery back into the
inferior vena cava if the
Impella
®
RP Catheter is set at
P0. Retrograde flow may also
occur at P1.
