A novel less invasive single port pulsatile ventricular assist device

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Engineering
• Medical Devices
• Hemodynamics

Background:

• Cardiogenic shock requires immediate circulatory support.
• Existing ventricular assist devices (VADs) can be invasive.
• Development of less invasive VADs is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a less invasive paracorporeal single port pulsatile ventricular assist device (sppVAD).
• To assess the sppVAD's performance and hemocompatibility in a preclinical setting.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a sppVAD system including a valved single lumen cannula (VSLC) and a valveless single port diaphragm displacement pump (spDDP).
• Mock loop testing with a 33/27 Fr VSLC to evaluate flow capacity.
• In vivo testing in sheep (n=5) using a 28/25 Fr VSLC for 6-hour duration, assessing hemodynamic stability and hemocompatibility.

Main Results:

• The sppVAD achieved a flow of 6.2 L/min in mock loop testing.
• In sheep, the VSLC was implanted rapidly (within 1 minute) without cardiopulmonary bypass.
• The device provided 3.75 L/min flow in sheep with stable hemodynamics and unchanged hemocompatibility markers over 6 hours.

Conclusions:

• The less invasive sppVAD successfully provided total left ventricle support.
• The device demonstrated acceptable short-term hemocompatibility in a preclinical model.
• The sppVAD shows promise as a temporary VAD for managing cardiogenic shock.