Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1981; 29(6): 399-404
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1023520
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Hemodynamics and Energy Balance of the Left Ventricle during Low Flow Venoarterial Bypass and Venoarterial Counterpulsation with an Oxygenator in Experimental Animals*,**

W. Ruschewski, K. Hellberg, E. R. de Vivie
  • Center of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Göttingen
*Dedicated to Prof. Dr. J. Koncz on the occasion of his 65th birthday.**Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - SFB 89, Kardiologie, Göttingen.
Further Information

Publication History

1981

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

Summary

The effects of partial venoarterial continuous flow and coun-terpulsating bypass with an oxygenator on the hemodynamics and energy balance of the left ventricle were studied in 8 an-esthetized closed-chest dogs. A mean blood flow of 35%, and 48% of the animai's cardiac output was pumped via an extra-corporeal circuit

  1. with continuous flow by means of a roller pump, and

  2. with ECG-synchronized counterpulsation by means of a one-chambered electropneumatically driven ventricle pump.

Central venous shunt blood was oxygenated with a bubble oxygenator and returned into the descending aorta.

A bypass of 48% of cardiac output both with continuous and counter-pulsating flow resulted in a significant decrease of the maximal rise in left ventricular pressure (dp/dt max, 32% and 30% respectively) and of the calculated myocardial oxygen requirement (10 % and 16% respectively). The improved myocardial energy balance during diastolic counterpulsation was due to a significant decrease in systolic aortic pressure (11 %).

During bypass of 35% of cardiac output with continuous flow the hemodynamics and energy balance of the left ventricle remained essentially unchanged. However, during bypass with counterpulsating flow a significant decrease in systolic aortic pressure (7%) dp/dt max. (19%), and myocardial requirement oxidend (9 %) was obtained.

The results indicate that, if combined with counterpulsation, partial venoarterial bypass of only 35% of cardiac output can be an effective method of supporting the failing heart. Low flow venoarterial counterpulsation may therefore be of value for transitory use up to 72 hours in postoperative low-output Syndrome or myocardial infarction whenever intrgaortic balloon pumping alone is not sufficient or combined right and left heart failure is present.

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