The forgotten driving forces in right heart failure: new concept and device

Right heart failure is a frequent hemodynamic disturbance in pediatric cardiac patients. Besides inotropic and chronotropic drugs, fluid administration and inhaled nitric oxide, right ventricular mechanical assistance remains difficult to perform. A circulatory assist device adapted for the right heart biophysics and physiology might be more efficient.

We are developing a prototype of a non-invasive cardiac assist device (CAD) for neonates and pediatrics. It is based on a pulsatile suit device covering and affecting all territories of the right heart circuit. It will be tested in a neonatal animal model of right ventricular (RV) failure. Experimental models will be matched and compared with control and sham groups. Expected results would be immediate hemodynamic improvement due to synchronized diastolic reduction of stagnant venous capacitance, increasing preload and contractility. On long term, increased shear stress with changing intrathoracic pressure in a phasic way would improve and remodel the pulmonary circulation. Future studies will be focused on: hemodynamic, biochemistry, endothelium function test, and angiogenesis.

A non-invasive CAD guarantees better hemodynamics and endothelial function preservation with low morbidity and mortality. This is a physiological approach, cost-effective method, and particularly interesting in neonates and pediatrics with RV failure.