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The A-Med right heart support for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
U Livi1, S Gelsomino, P Da Col
1Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, General Hospital S. Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy.
Insights
Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) can cause hemodynamic instability. The A-Med right heart support system effectively maintained stability in two patients during OPCAB surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Devices
- Hemodynamics
Background:
- Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) offers benefits but can lead to hemodynamic instability due to right ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
- Displacement of the heart during OPCAB can compromise hemodynamic stability.
- The study aimed to evaluate the A-Med right heart support system during OPCAB procedures.
Observation:
- The A-Med system, comprising a coaxial cannula, microcentrifugal pump, and control console, was used in two patients undergoing elective OPCAB.
- The coaxial cannula was inserted through the right atrium into the pulmonary artery for active blood removal and return.
- The system was utilized during the exposure of the obtuse marginal branch, a posterior target area.
Findings:
- Successful application of the A-Med right heart support in two OPCAB patients.
- A mean pump flow of 3.2 L/min ensured normal cardiac output and hemodynamic stability.
- No complications were reported, and patients were discharged shortly after surgery.
Implications:
- The A-Med right heart support system demonstrated safety and efficacy in early use during OPCAB.
- The system facilitates hemodynamic stability, particularly during the exposure of posterior left ventricular target areas.
- This technology may improve outcomes for patients undergoing OPCAB surgery.
Background:
Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) presents several advantages but, mainly due to the impaired diastolic filling of the right ventricle, the displacement of the heart can cause hemodynamic instability. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of the A-Med right heart support during OPCAB.
Methods:
We report our early experience with the A-Med system (A-Med, West Sacramento, CA, USA) during OPCAB. The system consists of a coaxial cannula, a microcentrifugal pump and a control console. The coaxial cannula is passed through the right atrium with the tip of the cannula positioned in the main pulmonary artery. Thus the blood is actively removed from the right atrium and returned to the pulmonary artery.
Results:
We successfully used this right heart support in 2 patients undergoing elective OPCAB. In both cases the system was used during the exposure of the proximal portion of the obtuse marginal branch. A mean pump flow of 3.2 l/min guaranteed normal cardiac output and hemodynamic stability during the exposure of the posterior target area. No complication occurred and the patients were discharged shortly after surgery.
Conclusions:
In our early experience the A-Med right heart support was safe and effective and allowed achievement of hemodynamic stability during exposure of the posterior areas of the left ventricle.