Clinical experience with the Hemopump

Complications associated with surgical procedures generally required for implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may limit them from providing adequate circulatory support for patients suffering from profound left ventricular failure (LVF). Such problems are minimized with the use of the Hemopump, a recently developed intraarterial LVAD. This 7 mm transvalvular axial flow blood pump is percutaneously powered by an external console with a flexible drive cable. Since April 1988, we have used the device effectively in 12 patients. Indications for device application included postcardiotomy shock in eight patients, acute allograft rejection in two, severe allograft failure in one, and acute myocardial infarction in one. The Hemopump was inserted from the femoral approach in eight patients, the ascending aorta in three, and the abdominal aorta in one. During the first 12 hr of support, cardiac index (CI) ranged from 1.14-2.98 L/min/m2, and pump flow was 3.0 to 3.6 L/min. As the patients' hearts recovered, the pump speed was gradually reduced. Circulatory support ranged from 26 to 139 hr; 10 of 12 patients were successfully weaned. The mean CI before device removal was 2.74 +/- 0.4 L/min/m2, and the pump flow was 2.14 +/- 0.69 L/min. No device-related infections or thromboembolic episodes occurred. Plasma-free hemoglobin remained within acceptable levels during pumping. Six patients survived more than 30 days after pump removal. Thus, the Hemopump can provide safe, stable, temporary circulatory support and can be expeditiously applied with minimal complications.