CHRONIC IN VIVO EVALUATION OF AN INTEGRATED ARTIFICIAL HEART-LUNG DEVICE AS A LONG-TERM CARDIOPULMONARY SUPPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

We have developed an integrated artificial heart-lung device for long-term cardiopulmonary support. The device is composed of an artificial lung unit and two pusher-plate type artificial hearts which are connected to both sides of the artificial lung unit. The core size and the priming volume of the device are 11×14×17cm and 400ml, respectively. The hollow fibers of the artificial lung unit consist of a special polyolefin membrane which can prevent serum leakage. The entire blood-contacting surface of the artificial lung unit is treated with covalent heparin bonding. As a in vitro evaluation, the device exhibited a maximum output of 7.0L/min with a pressure gradient of around 10mmHg per 1L/min flow rate. In acute in vivo evaluation with two adult goats, the device satisfactorily replaced animals' circulation and respiration for 6 hours. Pumping output ranged from 5.5 to 6.0L/min, and PaO₂ and PaCO₂ were kept above 500mmHg and below 30mmHg, respectively. In chronic in vivo evaluation the device demonstrated a prominent thrombo-resistant property in non-heparin animal use trial. These results suggest that the integrated artificial heart-lung device has a potential to be used for long-term cardiopulmonary support with minimal anticoagulant therapy.