Left ventricular assist device powered by a balloon counterpulsation console

ABSTRACT

Mechanical circulatory support system have proven adequate clinical results in patients with severe heart failure, however, most existing devices are only available to few international centers because of high cost.due to the need of ventricular assist devices in Mexico we designed a model to study the factibility of using a conventional counterpulsation console drive module [Program"Mexi-Cor"-mexican heart]. We built a sac type artificial left ventricle, with a non-thrombogenic polyurethane 50cc chamber and two 21 mm prosthetic disc valves [inflow and outflow]. In vitro tests showed adequate driving pressures and at a fixed rate of 80 beats per minute, an output of 4 liters. Experimental animal studies resulted in full hemodynamic support of the excluded left ventricle during 8 hour acute experiments. The device can be placed paracorporeal or implanted in the abdomen in extraperitoneal fashion. Our results demonstrate that counterpulsation consoles can drive ventricular assist device; hence reducing complexity and costs. It is our consideration that these type of devices can represent the future therapy for short term mechanical cardiac support; needing intensive multicenter further research