IN VIVO EVALUATION OF THE CorAide RIGHT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE (RVAD)

Abstract

Purpose: Despite the increasing use of ventricular assist devices for patients with end-stage congestive heart failure, no implantable RVADs are available for those patients with significant right ventricular failure. The CorAide RVAD was developed to provide an implantable RVAD option to surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate pump performance in an acute in vivo model. Methods: The CorAide RVAD, developed as a modified CorAide left ventricular assist device, was implanted between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery in 3 healthy calves. The pump speed was varied from 1,800 rpm to 3,600 rpm. RVAD performance was analyzed acutely in the conditions of baseline, low circulating volume, high contractility, high pulmonary artery pressure, vasodilation, and low contractility. Results: Pump flow was well maintained even under conditions of high pulmonary arterial pressure and vasodilation with the exception of low circulating volume. Conclusions: The CorAide RVAD demonstrated acceptable hemodynamic characteristics for use as an implantable RVAD. Further studies are ongoing to examine the chronic biocompatibility.Figure