CARDIOVASCULAR
ENGINEERING
Journal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Assist Devices,Transplantation and Artificial Organs
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CARDIOVASCULAR
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Volume 2, 1997, No 1 |
Abstract:
Objective: A new pneumatic pulsatile ventricular device: the 60
ml Medos® Helmholtz Institut Aachen (HIA) was assessed for
surgical congestive heart failure post cardiopulmonary by-pass
(CBP) as a bridge to transplantation or recovery. Design: The
goal of our study was to report our clinical experience and to
evaluate the thrombotic risk by biomarker prothrombin and
microscopy of the blood contacting surfaces. Setting: Heart care
unit in University Hospital, first French experience with this
device. Patients: From November 1994 to December 1995, three
patients required this artificial heart assist device for
otherwise intractable heart failure. Mean age was 45 ± 6 years.
Two were for temporary support leading to restoration of cardiac
function including "weaning off" from CPB and the other
was an acute cardiac decompensation before heart transplantation.
Main results: The device worked without any failure over a mean
period of 18 ± 1 days (31-4) and generated a sufficient output
between 5.4 to 6.3 liters. No activation of the procoagulatory
system was detected during pumping. Measured blood parameters
such as Prothrombin F1+2 (1.3 ± 0.2 nmol/l), antithrombin III
activity (74 ± 2%), free haemoglobin indicated low mechanical
haemolysis. The driving pressures for full-empty pump operations
were significantly reduced, without exceeding 30 mmHg higher than
the mean systolic pressure. After explantation, there were no
signs of clotting in any cannulae, the interior blood contacting
surfaces of the pump and the polyurethane valves. Conclusion: The
Medos® HIA-VAD is a blood pump with very low-risk of
thrombo-embolic complications, a low-costable VAD with excellent
hemodynamic properties.
Keywords:
mechanical circulatory support, blood pump, heart failure
Address for Correspondence:
Reference:
(CVE. 1997; 2 (1): 16-18)
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