Assessment of synchronized direct mechanical ventricular actuation in a canine model of left ventricular dysfunction

Direct mechanical ventricular actuation (DMVA) is an experimental procedure that provides biventricular cardiac assistance by intracorporeal pneumatic compression of the heart. The advantages this technique has over other assist devices are biventricular assistance, no direct blood contact, pulsatile blood flow, and rapid, less complicated application. Prior studies of nonsynchronized DMVA support have demonstrated that a subject can be maintained for up to 7 days. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute hemodynamic effects of cardiac synchronized, partial DMVA support in a canine model (RVP) of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The study consisted of rapidly pacing seven dogs for 4 weeks to create LV dysfunction. At the conclusion of the pacing period, the DMVA device was positioned around the heart by means of a median sternotomy. The animals were then imaged in a 1.5 T whole body high speed clinical MR system, with simultaneous LV pressure recording. Left ventricular pressure-volume (PV) loops of the nonassisted and DMVA assisted heart were generated and demonstrated that DMVA assist shifted the loops leftward. In addition, assist significantly improved pressure dependent LV systolic parameters (left ventricular peak pressure and dp/dt max, p < 0.05), with no diastolic impairment. This study demonstrates that DMVA can provide synchronized partial assist, resulting in a decrease in the workload of the native heart, thus having a potential application for heart failure patients.