Prolonged circulatory maintenance with a Single Artificial Heart (SAH)

Abstract

Feasibility of prolonged circulatory maintenance with a SAH was studied in 10 goats. When pulmonary vascular resistance was in normal range (less than 15, 000 dynes. sec. cm^-5. Kg) and also right atrial pressure was kept at 10-18mmHg, circulation was well maintained. The flow fluctuated between 80-120ml/Kg/min and mean arterial pressure was kept above 80mmHg. Goats behaved quite normal but pleural and visceral effusion were noticed after 4 days. Maintenance of total protein level above 6.0g/dl could delay the appearance of effusion. The longest survival time to date is 32 days.