OBJECTIVE: Controversy exists regarding the optimal pumping method for left ventricular assist devices. The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that pulsatile left ventricular assist synchronized to the cardiac cycle provides superior left ventricular unloading and circulatory support compared with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices at the same level of ventricular assist device flow. METHODS: Seven male pigs were used to evaluate left ventricular assist device function using the TORVAD synchronized pulsatile-flow pump (Windmill Cardiovascular Systems, Inc, Austin, Tex) compared with the Bio-Medicus BPX-80 continuous-flow centrifugal pump (Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, Minn). Experiments were carried out under general anesthesia, and animals were instrumented via a median sternotomy. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained in the control state and with left ventricular assistance using the TORVAD and BPX-80 individually. Left ventricular failure was induced with suture ligation of the mid-left anterior descending coronary artery, and hemodynamic measurements were repeated. RESULTS: During left ventricular assist device support, mean aortic pressure and total cardiac output were higher and left atrial pressure was lower with pulsatile compared with continuous flow at the same ventricular assist device flow rate. During ischemic left ventricular failure, pulsatile left ventricular support resulted in higher total cardiac output (5.58 ± 1.58 vs 5.12 ± 1.19, P < .05), higher mean aortic pressure (67.8 ± 14 vs 60.2 ± 10, P < .05), and lower left atrial pressure (11.5 ± 3.5 vs 13.9 ± 6.0, P < .05) compared with continuous flow at the same left ventricular assist device flow rate. CONCLUSION: Synchronized, pulsatile left ventricular assistance produces superior left ventricular unloading and circulatory support compared with continuous-flow left ventricular assist at the same flow rates.
OBJECTIVE: Controversy exists regarding the optimal pumping method for left ventricular assist devices. The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that pulsatile left ventricular assist synchronized to the cardiac cycle provides superior left ventricular unloading and circulatory support compared with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices at the same level of ventricular assist device flow. METHODS: Seven male pigs were used to evaluate left ventricular assist device function using the TORVAD synchronized pulsatile-flow pump (Windmill Cardiovascular Systems, Inc, Austin, Tex) compared with the Bio-Medicus BPX-80 continuous-flow centrifugal pump (Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, Minn). Experiments were carried out under general anesthesia, and animals were instrumented via a median sternotomy. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained in the control state and with left ventricular assistance using the TORVAD and BPX-80 individually. Left ventricular failure was induced with suture ligation of the mid-left anterior descending coronary artery, and hemodynamic measurements were repeated. RESULTS: During left ventricular assist device support, mean aortic pressure and total cardiac output were higher and left atrial pressure was lower with pulsatile compared with continuous flow at the same ventricular assist device flow rate. During ischemic left ventricular failure, pulsatile left ventricular support resulted in higher total cardiac output (5.58 ± 1.58 vs 5.12 ± 1.19, P < .05), higher mean aortic pressure (67.8 ± 14 vs 60.2 ± 10, P < .05), and lower left atrial pressure (11.5 ± 3.5 vs 13.9 ± 6.0, P < .05) compared with continuous flow at the same left ventricular assist device flow rate. CONCLUSION: Synchronized, pulsatile left ventricular assistance produces superior left ventricular unloading and circulatory support compared with continuous-flow left ventricular assist at the same flow rates.
Authors: Jeffrey R Gohean; Mitchell J George; Thomas D Pate; Mark Kurusz; Raul G Longoria; Richard W Smalling Journal: ASAIO J Date: 2013 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 2.872
Authors: Jeffrey R Gohean; Erik R Larson; Raul G Longoria; Mark Kurusz; Richard W Smalling Journal: Cardiovasc Eng Technol Date: 2019-06-11 Impact factor: 2.495
Authors: Kiyotaka Fukamachi; Akira Shiose; Alex Massiello; David J Horvath; Leonard A R Golding; Sangjin Lee; Randall C Starling Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2012-12-25 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Jeffrey R Gohean; Mitchell J George; Kay-Won Chang; Erik R Larson; Thomas D Pate; Mark Kurusz; Raul G Longoria; Richard W Smalling Journal: ASAIO J Date: 2015 May-Jun Impact factor: 2.872
Authors: Carlo R Bartoli; Samson Hennessy-Strahs; Jeff Gohean; Maryann Villeda; Erik Larson; Raul Longoria; Mark Kurusz; Michael A Acker; Richard Smalling Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2018-12-23 Impact factor: 5.102