Sm. Parnis et al., PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TRANSCUTANEOUSLY POWERED AXIAL-FLOW BLOOD PUMP VENTRICULAR ASSIST SYSTEM, ASAIO journal, 43(5), 1997, pp. 576-580
Development of the Jarvik 2000 intraventricular assist system for long
-term support is ongoing. The system integrates the Jarvik 2000 axial
flow blood pump with a microprocessor based automatic motor controller
to provide response to physiologic demands. Nine devices have been ev
aluated in vivo (six completed, three ongoing) with durations in exces
s of 26 weeks. Instrumented experiments include implanted transit-time
ultrasonic flow probes and dual micromanometer LV/AoP catheters. Trea
dmill exercise and heart pacing studies are performed to evaluate cont
rol system response to increased heart rates. Pharmacologically induce
d cardiac dysfunction studies are performed in awake and anesthetized
calves to demonstrate control response to simulated heart failure cond
itions. No deleterious effects or events were encountered during any p
hysiologic studies. No hematologic, renal, hepatic, or pulmonary compl
ications have been encountered in any study. Plasma free hemoglobin le
vels of 7.0 +/- 5.1 mg/dl demonstrate no device related hemolysis thro
ughout the duration of all studies. Pathologic analysis at explant sho
wed no evidence of thromboembolic events. All pump surfaces were free
of thrombus except for a minimal ring of fibrin, (similar to 1 mm) on
the inflow bearing. Future developments for permanent implantation wil
l include implanted physiologic control systems, implanted batteries,
and transcutaneous energy and data transmission systems.