Studies on Left Ventricular Assist Circulation

Abstract

The experimental studies on left ventricular assist circulation using a pulsatile roller-pump has been carried out to establish the treatment of refractory left ventricular power failure.
Mongrel dogs, weighing 12 to 24kg, were used in these experiments. The blood pump was setted between left atrium and descending aorta, and drived being synchronized with animal's own heart beat. Although the systolic pressure of the left ventricle was decreased to practically zero during 80ml/kg/min. of bypass flow, the diastolic pressure of the left ventricle fell down to negative range occasionally, and under these conditions, arterial PO₂decreased gradually. It suggested that unusual negative pressure in left atrium resulted in the high pulmonary vascular resistance and the disturbance of blood oxygenation was disturbed.