[Heart replacement (biventricular assisted circulation) with the ellipsoid heart (E-BVAD) (author's transl)]

At the present time mechanical assisted circulation is indicated in patients with cardiac failure after open heart operations. The results after clinical implantation of the left ventricular assist devices are not encouraging. However, most of these patients suffer from irreversible cardiac failure and no restitution is to be expected. In patients with postoperative cardiac failure, a distinction must be made between isolated left heart failure and total heart failure. In patients with total heart failure - for example with diffuse, marked coronary sclerosis - both left and right ventricle failure exists. In these patients, no left ventricular assist device per se can bring the desired effect, since due to the right heart failure syndrome, the left system does not work adequately. With the biventricular bypass it is possible to maintain complete circulation in cases of cardiac insufficiency. The cannulation concept is biventricular transatrial to the aorta or to the pulmonary artery. The technique is simple and can be carried out very quickly. In cases of clinical emergency this device can be recommended due to the satisfactory haemodynamic effects achieved and the small degree of traumatic haemolysis. It represents an easy and quick implantable system for total functional heart replacement.