EXPERIMENTAL AORTOCORONARY SAPHENOUS-VEIN GRAFT FUNCTION AFTER MECHANICAL CARDIAC MASSAGE WITH THE ANSTADT CUP

Direct mechanical ventricular actuation (DMVA) using the Anstadt Cup c an achieve total circulatory support by massaging the fibrillating, as ystolic, or failing heart. The device does not contact the blood or ca use significant myocardial trauma. The purpose of this study was to as sess the functional integrity of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) subjecte d to DMVA vs cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Human SVGs were used to byp ass the ligated left anterior descending coronary artery in 11 dogs. A nimals then received 2 hrs of either DMVA (n = 5) or CPB (n = 6) durin g sustained ventricular fibrillation. Grafted and non grafted (control ) SVG segments were then studied in vitro. SVG patency was confirmed b y radiolabeled microspheres and pathologic evaluation. Matched SVC spe cimens (control) were not exposed to circulatory support. All SVGs wer e subjected to isometric tension studies. SVG contractile responses to norepinephrine, bradykinin, serotonin, and histamine were assessed. M aximal response to all agonists were similar between control SVG segme nts compared to either CPB or DMVA support (p = NS, ANOVA). All cumula tive dose response curves were similar after DMVA vs CPB support. In c onclusion, the smooth muscle function of SVGs in this study was not si gnificantly altered by DMVA support. Therefore, short-term DMVA suppor t does not impair patency or adversely effect the functional integrity of smooth muscle within SVGs.