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New polyurethane valves in new soft artificial hearts.
ASAIO Transactions
|July 1, 1989
Summary
New bistable valves and a soft total artificial heart (TAH) show promise for cardiac replacement. These devices demonstrated reduced opening resistance and low thromboembolism in animal studies, suggesting improved biocompatibility and function for future cardiac prosthetics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Materials Science
Background:
- Polyurethane (PU) valves implanted in the mitral position showed durability but had high opening resistance.
- Previous total artificial heart (TAH) experiments faced challenges with thromboembolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce novel bistable valves with reduced opening resistance.
- To evaluate a new, soft TAH for ease of implantation and biocompatibility.
Main Methods:
- Implantation of five PU valves in sheep for 1 year.
- Implantation of a new soft TAH in eight calves, with seven receiving bistable leaflet valves.
- Assessment of valve function, calcification, and thromboembolism at autopsy.
Main Results:
- PU valves remained intact but showed calcification and high opening resistance.
- Bistable valves exhibited lower opening resistance and comparable regurgitation to mechanical valves.
- TAH implants showed a low incidence of thromboemboli, even without long-term anticoagulation.
Conclusions:
- Bistable valves offer an improvement over previous designs due to lower opening resistance.
- The new soft TAH is easy to implant and demonstrates promising biocompatibility with reduced thromboembolic events.