Abstract
Objective: The Baylor Gyro BVAD® is under development with the final goal of establishing a
totally implantable biventricular assist system (BVAD). The aim of this study was
to evaluate the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of the device in a long-term
in vivo model. Methods: The BVAD was implanted into eight calves for longer than 4 weeks in a biventricular
bypass fashion, with the native heart remaining. Pump performance was assessed with
the system's digital data acquisition unit. Postoperatively, anticoagulation was maintained
with i.v. heparin perfusion (ACT≤ 250 sec) gradually replaced by coumadin. Treadmill
exercise tests were performed daily following a 10-day reconvalescence period after
surgery. Results: The animals were kept alive for 37 - 90 days. The pumps yielded average flows of
5.3 ± 1.1 l/min and 4.9 ± 0.7 l/min for the LVAD and RVAD, respectively. Power consumption
was 8.2 ± 2.7 W and 9.6 ± 4.7 W at 1935 ± 123 rpm and 2015 ± 365 rpm, respectively.
All cases exhibited low hemolysis; renal and liver function were kept normal throughout
the experiments. The animals demonstrated no thromboembolic neurological symptoms
and tolerated moderate treadmill exercise. Conclusion: The Baylor Gyro BVAD demonstrated effective and reliable in vivo performance with acceptable biocompatibility. Based on these studies, we conclude
that the system will be suitable as a long-term totally implantable BVAD for uses
intended for longer than two years.
Key words
Biventricular assist device - centrifugal blood pump - continuous-flow blood pump
- animal studies
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M. D. PhD Jörg Linneweber
Klinik für kardiovaskuläre Chirurgie · Universitätsklinikum Charité der Humboldt-Universität
zu Berlin
Schumannstraße 21
10111 Berlin
Germany
Phone: + 4930450522082
Fax: + 49 3 04 50 52 29 16
Email: joerg.linneweber@charite.de
