Impact of valves in a biomechanical heart model assisting failing hearts.

Abstract

Experimental valveless muscular blood pumps (biomechanical hearts) in goats can pump more than 1 L.min(-1), but due to a high pendulum volume, no significant flow contribution to the circulation is gained. Thus valved and valveless biomechanical hearts were compared for efficacy. Heart failure was induced in 5 adult Bore goats by repeated intracoronary embolization. A valved and balloon-equipped pumping chamber was integrated into the descending aorta, simulating standard biomechanical circulatory support. The valveless biomechanical heart supported a failing heart with a baseline cardiac output of 2,670 +/- 710 mL.min(-1) by contributing additional flow of 113 +/- 37 mL.min(-1). The biomechanical heart model incorporating an outlet valve offered an additional 304 +/- 126 mL.min(-1), and the use of 2 valves significantly enhanced pulmonary blood flow by 1,235 +/- 526 mL.min(-1). The use of 2 valves in biomechanical hearts seems to be essential to achieve adequate circulatory support. Double-valved biomechanical hearts driven by an appropriate skeletal muscle ventricle may contribute to the therapy of heart failure.

• Authors: Norbert W Guldner, Peter Klapproth, Petra R J Margaritoff, Ralf Noel, Hans H Sievers, Martin Grossherr
• Journal: Asian cardiovascular & thoracic annals (Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann) Vol. 17 Issue 6 Pg. 592-7 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1816-5370 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20026534 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Animals
• Biomechanical Phenomena
• Bioprosthesis
• Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation (instrumentation)
• Cardiac Output
• Disease Models, Animal
• Goats
• Heart Failure (physiopathology, therapy)
• Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation (instrumentation)
• Heart, Artificial
• Hemodynamics
• Materials Testing
• Prosthesis Design
• Pulmonary Circulation