Hemocompatibility of a coaxial pump catheter for less invasive heart surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Hematology

Background:

• Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery can lead to hemodynamic instability due to right ventricular dysfunction.
• Heart manipulation during OPCAB necessitates strategies to maintain cardiac function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the hemocompatibility of a novel coaxial atrial cannula minipump designed for right heart bypass.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this device during a 6-hour experimental run.

Main Methods:

• A minicentrifugal pump with a coaxial atrial cannula was tested in five calves for 6 hours at maximal speed (7000 rpm).
• Hemocompatibility was assessed through hourly blood sampling for blood gas, hematology, and chemistry analyses.
• Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA.

Main Results:

• Hematocrit and red blood cell counts remained stable throughout the 6-hour experiment (p=0.77 and 0.87).
• Platelet counts showed no significant alteration (p=0.55), and LDH levels were stable (p=0.61).
• Plasma free hemoglobin stayed below 100 mg/l, indicating minimal red blood cell damage, and adequate tissue perfusion was maintained.

Conclusions:

• The developed right heart minipump demonstrates significant hemocompatibility with minimal impact on red blood cells and platelets.
• The system shows promise for enhancing hematological safety during OPCAB procedures requiring right heart support.