HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Filip R. Rega Bart P. Meyns Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rega, F. R. Articles by Meyns, B. P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Rega, F. R. Articles by Meyns, B. P. Related Collections Mechanical Circulatory Assistance

Pediatric heart support with a newly developed catheter based pulsatile 12F rotary blood pump: an animal study

^a Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
^b Abiomed Europe GmbH, Aachen, Germany
^c Department of Pathology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Received 19 September 2007; received in revised form 17 June 2008; accepted 20 June 2008.

^_* Corresponding author. Address: University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Tel.: +32 16 344260; fax: +32 16 344616. (Email: bart.meyns{at}uzleuven.be).

Background: To evaluate mechanical and hematological compatibility of a pediatric, temporary left heart support system in a lamb model as a less traumatic alternative to the widely used ECMO. Methods: A small, pulsatile rotary blood pump (target flow 0.5 l/m at 80 mmHg pressure head at 120 pulses per min) was inserted in six lambs (15.1 ± 1 kg) via a left thoracotomy, through a purse string in the arcus aortae. With fluoroscopy the tip (=inflow) of the catheter was positioned in the outflow tract of the left ventricle. The outflow part was positioned immediately above the aortic valve. Animals were extubated at the end of the procedure. Mechanical and hematological parameters were followed for 14 days. Results: Five animals survived a 2-week follow-up. One animal died because of empyema on day 6. Flow maintained stable (0.8 ± 0.2 l/m) in all animals during the evaluation period. Free hemoglobin as a parameter of hemolysis and hematocrit remained also stable. Necropsy revealed minimal fibrous reaction on one aortic valve leaflet in one animal and small hematoma formation in three. All animals showed mild signs of endothelial damage on the aortic arch at the level of the motor housing. One animal showed signs of old kidney infarction suggesting possible embolization during placement. Conclusion: This newly developed, catheter based, pediatric heart support system generates a stable flow for 14 days without compromising hematological stability and with acceptable tissue damage due to positioning of the catheter.

Key Words: Congenital heart disease: Heart failure • Assist device