PERCUTANEOUS APPROACH FOR RIGHT HEART ASSIST

Abstract

Right ventricular (RV) assistance is essential in severe RV failure to maintain total circulation. There is, however, no easy wayto introduce RV assist. For left ventricular (LV) assist, an intraarterial axial flow pump (Hemopump) has been developed and used clinically. In this study, the feasibility of intravenous use of an axial flow pump was examined with modified Hemopump for intravenous insertion. The modified Hemopump designed for RV assist was tested in an adult goat by retrograde introduction from the pulmonary artery. Positioning of the cannula was easy and the system showed good RV assistance under induced pulmonary hypertension or induced biventricular failure. In vitro testing of a modified Hemopump for antegrade intravenous insertion indicated that maximum flow at a pressure differential of 40mmHg is 4.0l/m. Insertion from peripheral vein was performed uneventfully and good RV assistance was achieved. These data suggest that an axial flow pump introduced via an antegrade intravenous approach may provide sufficient right heart assist.