CLINICAL USE OF THE HEMOPUMP CARDIAC ASSIST SYSTEM FOR CIRCULATORY SUPPORT

We have used the Hemopump in 15 patients in whom weaning from cardiopu lmonary bypass was unsuccessful. The median time for the patients havi ng the device on was 1.6 days postoperatively. They spent an average o f 6 days in the intensive care unit and had a total hospital stay of a bout 17 days. Nine of 15 patients (60%) survived and were able to leav e the hospital. There were some reversible decreases in kidney functio n in all patients, but none of them needed hemodialysis. Coronary arte ry bypass grafting supported by the Hemopump instead of cardiopulmonar y bypass and with the use of a short-acting beta-blocker, esmolol, was carried out successfully in 12 patients. In this method the blood is oxygenated by the patient's lungs and the heart is perfused with its o wn warm blood. The Hemopump supports the circulation and if the patien t needs circulatory support after the operation, a left ventricular as sist device is already in place. There were no device-related complica tions apart from two initial cable fractures. The Hemopump fits well i n the intensive care unit environment; it is silent, and the managemen t of the console is easily learned. The Hemopump has shown to be an ef fective and safe tool for unloading the left ventricle while maintaini ng multiorgan perfusion. There are several potential applications for surgeons and cardiologists.