ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW CHRONIC EXPERIMENTAL MODEL FOR A LONG-TERM EVALUATION OF ARTIFICIAL LUNGS USING AN RVAD SYSTEM

Abstract

We have designed a new chronic experimental model to evaluate a long-term performance of artificial lungs. Right ventricular assist device (RVAD) was implanted in 3 goats. Artificial lungs were set on the outlet conduit of the RVAD 2 weeks postoperatively when the surgical influences were neglected. Six artificial lungs were evaluated for 11 to 191 hours without any major complications. Time courses of gas exchange charasteristics were easily estimated with continuous monitoring of exhausted gas analysis. We conclude that this method is quite useful for a long-term evaluation of artificial lungs.