Long-term ex vivo bovine experiments with the Gyro C1E3 centrifugal blood pump

Centrifugal blood pumps are used widely for cardiopulmonary bypass, as ventricular assist devices, and for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, there is no centrifugal blood pump that is suitable for long-term ECMO. The authors developed the Gyro C1E3 centrifugal blood pump (Kyocera Corporation, Kyoto, Japan), which has superior antithrombogenic, antitraumatic, and hydraulic features in comparison with the conventional centrifugal blood pumps. Five ex vivo long-term durability tests of the Gyro C1E3 were performed using healthy miniature calves. The ECMO circuit was composed of a prototype hollow fiber silicone membrane oxygenator and a Gyro C1E3 pump. Venous blood was drained from the left jugular vein of a calf, passed through the oxygenator and infused into the left carotid artery using a Gyro C1E3. Ex vivo studies were performed from 7 to 15 days at a blood flow rate of 1 L/min. During this period, the Gyro C1E3 demonstrated a stable performance without exchanging the pump. Bleeding complications were the major reason for termination of each experiment. Rotational speed was maintained around 2,000 rpm. All five calves demonstrated neither abnormal signs nor abnormal blood examination data throughout the experiment. Neither clot nor thrombus formations were found during the necropsy in the cannula or pump nor were infarctions observed in any of the major organs. In conclusion, the Gyro C1E3 showed a stable and reliable performance during long-term ex vivo bovine experiments under the conditions tested.