Abiomed leads latest FDA breakthrough designations for heart disease devices

FDA awarded the breakthrough privileges to Abiomed's Impella ECP expandable percutaneous heart pump. Abiomed is pitching the experimental device as the world's smallest heart pump and the first that is suitable for use with small bore access and closure techniques. By developing a pump that is smaller than its existing Impella products, Abiomed is aiming to enable more coronary artery disease patients to receive hemodynamic support.