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Artificial heart. Hemorrheology and transient ischemic attacks
T C Hung1, H S Borovetz, R L Kormos
1Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261.
ASAIO Transactions
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Abnormal hemorrheology, including increased blood viscosity and erythrocyte rigidity, was observed in patients with mechanical heart support, potentially leading to neurologic episodes. Improving hemorrheology may prevent complications in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Science
- Hemorrheology
Background:
- Mechanical circulatory support devices are crucial for patients awaiting cardiac transplantation.
- Hemorrheology, the study of blood flow properties, plays a vital role in cardiovascular health.
- Understanding hemorrheologic changes during artificial heart support is essential for patient management.
Observation:
- Two patients on mechanical circulatory support (one with a Jarvik-7 total artificial heart, another with a Novacor left ventricular assist device) experienced neurologic episodes.
- These patients exhibited abnormal hemorrheology that correlated with their clinical status.
- Key rheological abnormalities included increased relative blood viscosity, erythrocyte rigidity, fibrinogen concentration, and platelet aggregation.
Findings:
- Abnormal hemorrheology was directly linked to neurologic events in patients on artificial heart support.
- Specific rheological markers worsened concurrently with clinical deterioration and neurologic episodes.
- The observed hemorrheological changes suggest a potential mechanism for device-related neurologic complications.
Implications:
- Improving hemorrheology could be a therapeutic strategy to mitigate neurologic risks in patients with mechanical circulatory support.
- Further research into hemorrheological interventions may reduce the incidence of transient ischemic attacks and other complications.
- Optimizing blood flow properties may enhance patient outcomes during the bridge-to-transplantation period.