Total Artificial Heart: The Adaptation and Pathophysiological Deviations in the Recipient

Abstract

In the short historical review the principal technical and pathophysiological approaches of the Czech total artificial heart (TAH) research are emphasized. Survival was endangered by arterial and venous hypertension, especially the central venous pressure (CVP) increase, mineralization of driving diaphragms, thromboembolization, and infection. By the appropriate combination of antihypertensive, antimineralization, and anticoagulation treatment and of measures against infection, the survival of the experimental calves was increased (the longest one was 314 days of pumping). Technical and constructional improvement of the blood pumps was another cause of successful experiments. All details are issued in the references.

Histopathology Image Analysis in Two Long‐Term Animal Experiments with Helical Flow Total Artificial Heart

“…In our study no similar changes have been found; this fact can be interpreted as positive effect of quasi-pulsatory mode of used HF-TAH. However, it is known from experimental studies with TAH that central venous pressure changes and impaired (faulty) function of the right pump can lead to serious hepatic venostasis and vast pathological changes, such as necrosis and fibrosis (16)(17)(18)21). In this study, histopathological analysis of liver samples from both experiments revealed local, mostly centroacinous venostasis, mild atrophy of hepatocytes and limited fibrosis of portobiliary spaces (Masson-Goldner stain).…”

“…As a result, sudden onset of massive hemolysis was observed. However, it is known from experimental studies with TAH that central venous pressure changes and impaired (faulty) function of the right pump can lead to serious hepatic venostasis and vast pathological changes, such as necrosis and fibrosis (16)(17)(18)21). Following histopathological analyses were focused on the assessment of changes in the tissue samples taken from end-organs.…”