RCIS Practice Test 2026 – All-in-One Exam Prep

The function of the Impella device in cardiovascular procedures is to evacuate blood from the left ventricle (LV) and deliver it to the aorta (AO). This device is a type of mechanical circulatory support that is used in patients experiencing severe heart failure or cardiogenic shock. By assisting the heart in pumping blood, the Impella device helps to reduce the workload on the heart and improve systemic perfusion, thus stabilizing the patient’s condition.

The Impella works by inserting a catheter through the femoral artery or another access point, which is passed into the heart's left ventricle. Once in place, the pump draws blood out of the LV and into the AO, effectively providing hemodynamic support. This ability to optimize blood flow is crucial during high-risk cardiac procedures or as a short-term solution while waiting for further interventions, such as transplant or recovery from acute myocardial infarction.

Other options, such as monitoring heart rhythms, inflating balloons in coronary arteries, or providing electrical stimulation to the heart, do not accurately describe the Impella's purpose. Monitoring heart rhythms is accomplished using electrocardiogram (ECG) devices, inflation of balloons refers to angioplasty procedures typically performed using balloon catheters, and