Improvement in Biventricular Cardiac Function After Ambulatory Counterpulsation

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Devices
• Heart Failure Management

Background:

• The NupulseCV intravascular ventricular assist system (iVAS) offers extended ambulatory counterpulsation via a durable pump inserted through the subclavian artery.
• This study aimed to evaluate the impact of iVAS on the biventricular cardiac function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of the NupulseCV intravascular ventricular assist system (iVAS) on biventricular cardiac function.
• To assess changes in cardiac parameters after 30 days of iVAS support.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of heart failure patients who received iVAS implantation.
• Comparison of transthoracic echocardiography data pre-implantation and at 30 days post-implantation or pre-explantation.
• Analysis of biventricular parameters including ejection fraction, atrial size, and right ventricular function.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (16.5% to 24.4%, P=.007) and reduction in left atrial size (62.7 to 33.8 mL/m², P<.001) at 30 days.
• Dramatic improvement in right ventricular fractional area change (25.4% to 42.1%, P<.001) and other right ventricular/atrial parameters.
• No deaths occurred during iVAS support in the 18 patients studied, with support durations averaging 53 days.

Conclusions:

• The NupulseCV intravascular ventricular assist system (iVAS) demonstrates significant improvement in biventricular cardiac function after 30 days of support.
• Further research is warranted to explore iVAS as a potential bridge to recovery in heart failure patients.