[Functional replacement of the left heart with an intrathoracally implantable ventricular-aortic blood pump (author's...

An implantable ventricular-aortic blood pump was employed for the functional replacement of the left heart. Pilot studies were performed in 12 dogs to test new materials and manufacturing innovations used in the production of the blood pumps. Further pilot studies were undertaken to evaluate prophylactic measures against infection along percutaneous driving lines. A skin button made from biomaterials and covered with antibiotics was subcutaneously implanted in 2 dogs and 5 calves. No infection was seen along the percutaneous lines for up to 6 months later. After the implantation technique had been worked out in 15 calves acute haemodynamic studies were undertaken. The implanted pump took over, on average, 88% of the cardiac output. The peak systolic ventricular pressure was decreased from 106 to 18 mm Hg. The myocardial oxygen consumption was thereby decreased by 21% in respect to the control value. A ventricular-aortic blood pump was implanted in 12 calves for long-term studies. The longest duration of pump experimentation was 73 days. The laboratory examinations show that all body functions return to normal within 10 days and that the pumping device is completely integrated into the living organism.