The Product
An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) helps a patient’s heart pump more blood if the heart cannot supply enough to meet the body’s needs. This lifesaving device temporarily supports a patient’s heart function during a cardiac procedure or postoperatively.
The Challenge
When the two main Canadian suppliers of IABP catheters and kits experienced concurrent supply disruptions, MMC collaborated with government stakeholders and the affected suppliers to facilitate importing alternates from the US and Europe.
The Outcome
Potential substitute kits were identified but were missing the arterial pressure tubing – a critical component needed for the IABP system to function. MMC’s Clinical Team ensured hospitals were able to access the tubing (packaged separately from another supplier), then collaborated with Health Canada and the international manufacturers to import the kits into Canada.