No abstract

Recently, several types of centrifugal pumps have been widely used as the main pumps for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, according to the results of our experimental studies, after cardiogenic shock, pulsatile flow was effective in maintaining the functions and microcirculations of end organs, especially those of the liver and kidney. To estimate the effectiveness of pulsatility during CPB, cytokine and endothelin and other metabolic parameters were measured in clinical pulsatile and nonpulsatile CPB cases. From March to May 1997, CPB was performed in 18 elective cases (14 ischemic and 4 valvular disease). In 9 cases, pulsatile perfusion was achieved by the Jostra HL20, which is a newly developed CPB pump (Group P). A nonpulsatile centrifugal pump was used in 9 patients (Group NP). In both groups, as chemical and metabolic mediators, interleukin-8 (IL-8), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and plasma free hemoglobin were measured before and during CPB, and 0.5, 3, 6, 9, 18 h after weaning from CPB. This pulsatile CPB pump could be very simply and easily controlled and could easily produce pulsatile flow. There were no significant differences in CPB time (CPBT), aortic cross clamp time (ACCT), mean aortic pressure, or pump flow during CPB between the both groups. The ET-1 level of Group P was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of Group NP 9 h after CPB weaning. The IL-8 level of Group P also showed a lower value than that of Group NP. As for plasma free hemoglobin, there were no significant differences between the groups. These results suggested that even in conventional CPB, pulsatility was effective to reduce endothelial damage and suppress cytokine activation. It may play a important role in maintaining the functions and microcirculations of end organs during CPB.

We examined a major organ function during 3 h biventricular assisted circulation after acute myocardial infarction model in the pig. In left ventricular circulation, the outflow cannula was placed in the ascending aorta and an inflow cannula through the mitral valve in the left ventricle. A pump (pulsatile group, Zeon Medical, Inc., Tokyo, Japan and nonpulsatile group, Nikkiso HPM-15, Nikkiso, Inc., Tokyo, Japan) was connected to each cannula. In right ventricular circulation, the outflow cannula was placed in the pulmonary artery and an inflow cannula in the right ventricle. The right ventricular circulation was supported by a nonpulsatile pump (Nikkiso HPM-15). The items measured were the regional blood flows of the cortex and medulla in the kidney, white matter and gray mater in brain, and liver; renal arterial flow; carotid arterial flow; portal vein flow; common hepatic arterial flow; arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR); and lactate/pyrubic acid (L/P). In the pulsatile group, the renal cortical blood flow increased, and the medulla blood flow decreased. On the other hand, in the nonpulsatile group, both regional blood flows decreased. That means that in the pulsatile assisted group intrarenal redistribution improved rather than in the nonpulsatile assisted group. In addition the liver regional blood flow, AKBR, and L/P showed significant differences between the pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups. On the other hand, the white matter and gray matter regional blood flows and carotid arterial flow did not show significant differences between the groups. The results of our study indicated that pulsatile circulation produced superior circulation in the kidney and liver, and microcirculation on the cell level was superior as well in early treatment of acute heart failure.

We examined left ventricular assist during 6 h for an acute myocardial infarction model in pigs. The outflow cannula was placed in the ascending aorta and an inflow cannula in the left atrium. A pump (Pulsatile group: Zeon Medical and Nonpulsatile group: Nikkiso HPM-15) was connected to each cannula. Items measured were the regional blood flow of the cortex and the medulla in the kidney, renal arterial flow, arterial blood ketone body ratio (AKBR), lactate/pyruvic acid, BUN, creatinine and beta 2-microglobulin. After experimental study, the kidneys were removed, and a pathological study was performed. In the pulsatile assisted group, renal cortical blood flow increased but medulla blood flow decreased. On the other hand, in the nonpulsatile assisted group, both regional blood flows decreased. That means that in the pulsatile assisted group intrarenal redistribution improved, rather than in the nonpulsatile assisted group. The results of our study indicated that pulsatile assist produced superior circulation in the kidney, and the microcirculation on the cell level was superior as well in early treatment of acute left heart failure.

The Baylor C-Gyro Pump Eccentric Inlet Port Models (C1E) have been developed aiming for a long-term centrifugal ventricular assist device (VAD) as well as a cardiopulmonary bypass pump. The eccentric inlet port models are characterized by their unique inlet port and secondary impeller vanes. An inlet female pivot bearing, which was fixed to a supporting bar in the prototype model, is directly embedded into the ceiling of the pump casing. An inlet port is then placed off-center to avoid the bearing area, and it is angled between 0 to 90 degrees from the upright position. In addition, small secondary vanes were incorporated into the impeller bottom to accelerate the washout flow behind the impeller. These features attained design objectives proposed for higher antithrombogenicity: a seal-less pump chamber, no stationary parts in the blood path, and acceleration of the secondary flow behind the impeller. The first in vivo experiment using C1E pumps showed excellent antithrombogenicity for up to 18 days when the experiment ceased due to severe infection in the calf.