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Continuous epicardial echocardiographic assessment of postoperative left ventricular function
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|July 1, 1978
Summary
A novel heart ultrasound transducer, sutured during surgery and removed non-invasively, accurately monitors cardiac function. This device shows high correlation with traditional methods for assessing left ventricular volume and ejection fraction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Surgical Technology
Background:
- Accurate monitoring of cardiac function is crucial post-cardiac operations.
- Existing methods for assessing left ventricular performance can be invasive or intermittent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel, implantable ultrasound transducer for continuous cardiac monitoring.
- To assess the accuracy and safety of this device in measuring left ventricular parameters.
Main Methods:
- Developed a percutaneously removable ultrasound transducer sutured to the heart.
- Conducted studies in 20 animals, simultaneously recording echocardiograms and left ventricular angiograms.
- Evaluated hemodynamic function, data reproducibility, and device safety during application and removal.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a highly significant linear correlation (p < 0.005) between echocardiographic and angiographic measurements.
- Confirmed accurate assessment of left ventricular end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction.
- Found the device safe for application and percutaneous removal.
Conclusions:
- The novel ultrasound transducer reliably assesses left ventricular size and ejection fraction.
- This technology offers a potential method for continuous hemodynamic monitoring after cardiac surgery.
- Further investigation in human subjects is warranted to confirm clinical utility.