A VAD in the right circulation of patients with univentricular hearts : an animal model

d'Udekem d'Acoz , Yves;Van Caenegem, Olivier;Jacquet , Luc-Marie;Legrand, Eric;Noirhomme, Philippe;et.al.
(2003) Cardiovascular Engineering : journal for extracorporeal circulation, assist devices, transplantation and artificial organs — Vol. 8, n° 1-2, p. 109-113 (2003)

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Authors
  • d'Udekem d'Acoz , YvesUCLouvain
    Author
  • Van Caenegem, OlivierUCLouvain
    Author
  • Jacquet , Luc-MarieUCLouvain
    Author
  • Legrand, EricUCLouvain
    Author
  • Thiry, DominiqueUCLouvain
    Author
  • Rubay, JeanUCLouvain
    Author
  • Noirhomme, PhilippeUCLouvain
    Author
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Abstract
Background: In the long term, patients with univentricular hearts and high pulmonary artery pressures are doomed to either death or heart-lung transplantation. The same fate is reserved to patients with failing total cavo-pulmonary connections. Implantable assist devices offer a new hope for these patients. We explored the possibility of definitive implantation of a ventricular assist device in the pulmonary circulation of patients with univentricular heart physiology. Methods: Five pigs weighing a mean of 33 ± 12 kg were placed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Univentricular hearts were obtained under cardioplegic arrest by ligating the pulmonary artery and resecting 2 leaflets of the tricuspid valve and the interatrial septum. A MEDOS HIA assist device was interposed between both venae cavae and the main pulmonary artery. Results: The animals were maintained under right ventricular assist device for a median of 4 hours (range: 3-6 hours). Their systemic and pulmonary artery pressures remained stable throughout the experiment. No changes were observed on their arterial blood gases after the implantation of the device. Conclusion: Definitive implantation of a ventricular assist device in the right circulation of patients with univentricular hearts might become an alternative to heart-lung transplantation in those with elevated pulmonary artery pressures or with failing cavo-pulmonary connections. An animal model has been developed to study this possibility.
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d’Udekem d’Acoz, Y., Van Caenegem, O., Jacquet, L.-M., Legrand, E., Thiry, D., Rubay, J., & Noirhomme, P. (2003). A VAD in the right circulation of patients with univentricular hearts : an animal model. Cardiovascular Engineering : journal for extracorporeal circulation, assist devices, transplantation and artificial organs, 8(1-2), 109-113. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/96032 (Original work published 2003)