Abstract
An artificial heart was not controlled by any nerve system now, but sympathetic nerve activity should be used for control of the artificial heart to work more physiologically. Although it has been difficult to develop an electrode that can be used for long-term experiment of sympathetic nerve system, we developed a new carbon fiber electrode for the long-term use. It was implanted in sheep with the left ventricular assist system(LVAS)and renal sympathetic nerve activity(RSNA)was recorded. Wireless telemetry measurement system was used for recording of RSNA and it is observed that discharge of RSNA and the pulsation of self-heart occurred simultaneously. The amplitude of RSNA discharge was approximately 20μ Vp-p. Although correlation coefficient between integrated renal sympathetic nerve activity(IRSNA)and heart rate(HR)was not so high, it was shown that reaction of autonomic nerve system could be applied to artificial heart control.
