Hemocompatibility of a coaxial pump catheter for less invasive heart surgery

Abstract

Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) requires heart manipulation during exposure of the lateral and posterior walls of the heart, which may cause hemodynamic instability, mainly through right ventricular dysfunction. A coaxial atrial cannula connected to a minicentrifugal pump was developed to bypass the right heart. This study was designed to test the hemocompatibility of this pump ongoing for 6 h. In five calves (bodyweight, 70.3± 4.2 kg), the pump was inserted and set to its maximal motor speed of 7000 rpm. Blood samples were taken for blood gas analyses, hematology and chemistry on an hourly basis. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. During the 6-h run, hematocrit and red blood cell count were stable ( p = 0.77 and 0.87, respectively). Platelet count was not significantly altered ( p = 0.55). LDH was stable ( p = 0.61) and plasma free hemoglobin remained below 100 mg/l throughout the experiment. Adequate tissue perfusion was maintained as reflected by the stable mixed venous oxygen saturation (baseline, 72.5± 2%, and 6 h, 65.6± 3.4%) and no defect of any pump system was detected during this 6-h testing. This right heart minipump appears to have a minimal impact on red cells and platelets when set at its maximal speed for 6 h, underlining the hematological safety of the system.