EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY OF COMBINATION OF EXTRAAORTIC BALLOON COUNTERPULSATION AND VENTRICULAR ASSIST CUP TO ACUTE HEART-FAILURE IN DOGS

The goal of this study is to evaluate the applicability and effectiven ess of combination support of the extraaortic balloon (EAB) and the ve ntricular assist cup (VAC) to the acute heart failure model. Under gen eral anesthesia, 10 adult dogs were used. Through the median sternotom y, EAB was placed around the ascending aorta and VAC in the pericardia l cavity. After heart failure was induced by administration of propran olol, the on-oft tests of devices were done as follows. Only EAB was u sed, and only VAC was used and both devices were used. Regional blood flows (RBFs) of both ventricles, liver, kidneys, and brain were measur ed by colored microsphere technique. Hemodynamic parameters were also measured. In heart failure model, cardiac output (GO) decreased to 66% of control value. In the group assisted by EAB, aortic peak-diastolic pressure and RBFs of both ventricle and brain increased significantly . In the group assisted by VAC, CO and RBFs of all but the left ventri cle significantly increased. In the group assisted by EAB and VAC, aor tic peak-diastolic pressure, CO, and all five RBFs significantly incre ased. These results suggest the combination of EAB and VAC is applicab le and effective and would be a promising implantable device for the c hronic heart failure.