Blood interaction with a Bioline heparin coated HIA-VAD: a study on calves.

The blood compatibility of ventricular assist devices developed by the Helmholtz Institute Aachen (HA-VAD's) was tested on calves. Seven calves received a non-coated HIA-VAD (control) and three a Bioline heparin coated device. The circulatory support of these HIA-VAD's lasted one week. Mechanical blood cell trauma estimated by hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (total Hb) and free plasma hemoglobin (free Hb) levels did not differ in either group. All HIA-VAD's in the control group remained thrombus free, except on one occasion when an inflow cannula was obstructed by a thrombus located in the tip. After circulatory support, the animals in this group seemed clinically healthy. However, thrombus formation was observed in the three heparin coated HIA-VAD's. One animal in this group died from complications after re-operation for pneumothorax on the fifth day of support, whereas the other two animals seemed clinically healthy. In these three animals, a strong decrease in platelet numbers was measured even after 24 hours of support which recovered after 72 hours. This decrease in platelet numbers was associated with a lower degree of platelet aggregation ability stimulated by ADP (p < 0.05). Fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) increased significantly immediately after the implantation procedure (p < 0.05). Fibrinogen levels initially decreased during the implantation procedure, but increased thereafter in both groups. The FDP levels remained high in this group, although the FDP levels in both groups were decreased after the implantation procedure. The ex vivo measured circulating heparin levels were lower in the heparin coated HIV-VAD group despite the equally administrated heparin doses in both animal groups. No differences were measured in either group with regard to white blood cell (WBC) numbers and complement hemolytic activity (CH50). Despite these hemostatic changes, no mechanical trauma could be demonstrated after seven days of circulatory support.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced endothelial tissue factor is located on the cell surface rather than in the subendothelial matrix.

Because there is no consensus regarding the precise distribution of induced endothelial tissue factor (TF), we studied TF activity in and on tumor necrosis factor alpha-stimulated cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs) and their underlying matrix. TF was mainly expressed on the cell surface. Only small traces were found on the apical surface suggesting that TF is predominantly located on the basolateral side of the cell membrane. The presence of TF on the cell surface was confirmed by flow cytometry. Subendothelial TF activity appeared to be dependent upon the procedure used to remove the stimulated EC monolayer. Whereas ammonium hydroxide or hypotonic lysis resulted in relatively high levels of matrix-associated TF, virtually no TF was found on the matrix after mild enzymatic detachment of stimulated ECs. Cell removal with EDTA resulted in intermediate levels of matrix-associated TF. Neither the enzymatic treatment nor EDTA degraded or removed this TF activity. Similar patterns were observed for matrix-associated TF antigen and EC surface markers. Electron microscopic analysis showed cell fragments on the matrix after monolayer lysis. The findings strongly suggest that induced endothelial TF associated with the subendothelial matrix actually represents TF on EC remnants.

In-vivo evaluation of the "HIA-VAD": a new German ventricular assist device.

Helmholtz Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) are pneumatically driven polyurethane membrane pumps with various volumes. The pumps are placed paracorporeally and connected with commercially available cannulas between the left atrium and aorta (left ventricular assist device) and/or right atrium and pulmonary artery (right ventricular assist device, bi-ventricular assist device). The pumps can be driven with a stand-alone driving system or with a Helmholtz IABP-console interface. Seventeen animal experiments (on calves) with Helmholtz VAD's were performed to evaluate experimental protocols, to optimize surgical techniques, and to improve design and manufacturing techniques. Blood chemistry and cell counts demonstrated that the tested HIA-70 produces low mechanical blood damage. In the course of the animal experiments the Helmholtz VAD's were made totally transparent, whereby they became easy to de-air, efficient, and affordable.

Hemolysis in fresh human blood with a new hemoperfusion pump to prevent myocardial ischemia during coronary angioplasty.

A new, 5 ml, piston type hemoperfusion pump, designed to prevent myocardial ischemia during coronary angioplasty, was evaluated in vitro at different flow rates. The driving pressures necessary to achieve the different flow rates and biochemical indicators of hemolysis, were assessed. Fresh human blood was perfused through 2 angioplasty catheter types, one with distal side holes and another catheter type without side holes but with a tapered distal segment. Despite high driving pressures, shear stress > 200 Pa, turbulent flow and the presence of occlusive valves in the pump, hemolysis proved to be minimal. This is most readily explained by the short period of time during which the blood was subjected to mechanical factors that cause hemolysis. Additionally, the volume of the pump, and hence the amount of blood subjected to mechanical hemolysis, was small. The side holes in the catheter caused obstruction by promoting the formation of clots.