Mechanical circulatory assist by a roller pump system using hydrophilic heparinized polymer coated tubing

We developed a circulatory assist system driven by a roller pump using hydrophilic heparinized polymer coated tubing. This system is easy to handle and does not require systemic heparinization. We applied it to 11 patients who failed to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass after open heart surgery. Left heart bypass was employed in 5 patients, right heart bypass in 1, combined left and right heart bypass in 2, and venoarterial bypass without oxygenation was done in 3 patients. The assisting flow rate ranged from 0.8 to 3.2 L/min, and the duration of the assist ranged from 5 h to 21 days. Six patients were weaned from this support, and 5 were discharged from the hospital. This system is beneficial for patients who failed to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass after cardiac surgery because of its simplicity and antithrombogenicity.