Selective reduction of afterload in right heart assist therapy: a mock loop study†

The treatment of right ventricular failure is closely linked to effects on pulmonary vascular resistance and thus the right ventricular (RV) afterload. Medical therapy includes afterload-decreasing drugs such as nitric oxide and prostacycline. However, current devices for mechanical unloading of the right ventricle aim at a decrease in preload increasing the pulmonary volume loading. In our concept study, we tested a minimally invasive right ventricular assist device (MIRVAD) that specifically reduces the afterload.

The MIRVAD is supposed to be a foldable device for temporary transvascular placement in the pulmonary artery. We incorporated a MIRVAD prototype into a mock circulatory loop that can reproduce haemodynamic interaction between the pump and the physiological system. Pulmonary hypertension (PH), right heart failure (RHF) and MIRVAD-assisted cases were simulated. The key haemodynamic parameters for RV unloading were recorded.

Mock loop simulation attested to a sufficient right ventricular unloading by serial application of a miniaturized impeller pump in the pulmonary artery. The afterload, represented by the pulmonary arterial root pressure, was recovered to the healthy range (32.62-10.93 mmHg) for the simulated PH case. In the simulated RHF case, the impaired pulmonary perfusion increased from 43.4 to 88.8% of the healthy level and the total ventricular work reduced from 0.381 to 0.197 J at a pump speed of 3500 rpm. At pump speeds higher than 3500 rpm, the pulmonary valve remains constantly open and the right ventricular configuration changes into a simple perfused hollow body.

The feasibility of RV unloading by a selective decrease in RV afterload was proved in principle. By alternation of the pump speed, gradual reloading in sense of a myocardial training may be achieved. The results will be validated by future animal trials where the relationship between the level of support and pulmonary vascular pressure can be investigated in vivo. Further device design concerning foldable impeller leaflets will be carried out. At a final stage, the crimped version is supposed to reach a size below 1 cm to facilitate minimally invasive insertion.