Abstract Objective: To analyze the impact of vacuum-assisted venous drainage (VAVD) on arterial pump flow in a simulated pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass circuit utilizing a centrifugal pump (CP) with an external arterial filter. Methods: The simulation circuit consisted of a Quadrox-I Pediatric oxygenator, a Rotaflow CP (Maquet Cardiopulmonary AG, Rastatt, Germany), and a custom pediatric tubing set primed with Lactated Ringer's solution and packed red blood cells. Venous line pressure, reservoir pressure, and arterial flow were measured with VAVD turned off to record baseline values. Four other conditions were tested with progressively higher vacuum pressures (-20, -40, -60, and -80 mmHg) applied to the baseline cardiotomy pressure. An arterial filter was placed into the circuit and arterial flow was measured with the purge line in both open and closed positions. These trials were repeated at set arterial flow rates of 1500, 2000, and 2500 mL/min. Results: The use of progressively higher vacuum caused a reduction in effective arterial flow from 1490±0.00 to 590±0.00, from 2020±0.01 to 1220±0.00, and from 2490±0.0 to 1830±0.01 mL/min. Effective forward flow decreased with increased levels of VAVD. Conclusion: The use of VAVD reduces arterial flow when a CP is used as the main arterial pump. The reduction in the forward arterial flow increases as the vacuum level increases. The loss of forward flow is further reduced when the arterial filter purge line is kept in the recommended open position. An independent flow probe is essential to monitor pump flow during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract Objective: Hemodilution is a concern in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Using a smaller dual tubing rather than a single larger inner diameter (ID) tubing in the venous limb to decrease prime volume has been a standard practice. The purpose of this study is to evaluate these tubing options. Methods: Four different CPB circuits primed with blood (hematocrit 30%) were investigated. Two setups were used with two circuits for each one. In Setup I, a neonatal oxygenator was connected to dual 3/16" ID venous limbs (Circuit A) or to a single 1/4" ID venous limb (Circuit B); and in Setup II, a pediatric oxygenator was connected to dual 1/4" ID venous limbs (Circuit C) or a single 3/8" ID venous limb (Circuit D). Trials were conducted at arterial flow rates of 500 ml/min up to 1500 ml/min (Setup I) and up to 3000 ml/min (Setup II), at 36°C and 28°C. Results: Circuit B exhibited a higher venous flow rate than Circuit A, and Circuit D exhibited a higher venous flow rate than Circuit C, at both temperatures. Flow resistance was significantly higher in Circuits A and C than in Circuits B (P<0.001) and D (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: A single 1/4" venous limb is better than dual 3/16" venous limbs at all flow rates, up to 1500 ml/min. Moreover, a single 3/8" venous limb is better than dual 1/4" venous limbs, up to 3000 ml/min. Our findings strongly suggest a revision of perfusion practice to include single venous limb circuits for CPB.

FUNDAMENTO: A assistência circulatória mecânica é uma opção terapêutica em casos de choque cardiogênio refratário ao tratamento farmacológico, sendo freqüentemente utilizada como ponte para o transplante cardíaco. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho do Dispositivo de Assistência Ventricular (DAV) desenvolvido pela Bioengenharia do Instituto do Coração, quando implantado com substituto do coração esquerdo. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 10 bezerros da raça Girolando com peso médio de 73 kg. O implante DAV-InCor foi realizado com a cânula de drenagem posicionada no átrio esquerdo (AE) ou na ponta do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) e a cânula de reposição implantada na aorta torácica descendente. As pressões do coração direito e esquerdo, débito cardíaco e o fluxo do DAV foram determinados antes e após a indução farmacológica de insuficiência miocárdica, na vigência de diferentes níveis de vácuo do sistema de drenagem. RESULTADOS: Com a drenagem no AE, os valores do fluxo do DAV foram de 2,2 ± 0,5 l/min na condição sem vácuo, 3,7 ± 0,4 l/min com vácuo de 10 mmHg, de 4,3 ± 0,4 com vácuo de 20 mmHg e de 4,8 ± 0,6 com vácuo de 30 mmHg. Os valores da pressão de AE foram de 11,7 ± 6; 9,8 ± 5,3, 8,5 ± 4,4 e 5,6 ± 3,3 mmHg nas mesmas condições, respectivamente. Com a cânula ventricular, o fluxo DAV foi de 4,2 ± 0,6 na condição sem vácuo e de 4,4 ± 0,7 com vácuo de 10 mmHg, sendo observados valores de pressão de AE de 11,1 ± 2 e 10,3 ± 3,5 mmHg nas duas condições. Esses resultados foram observados em condições hemodinâmicas semelhantes, sendo o fluxo do DAV responsável por um porcentual maior do débito cardíaco total conforme o nível de vácuo. Esse porcentual foi de 86 ± 13% com a cânula atrial e vácuo de 30 mmHg e de 97 ± 3% com a drenagem ventricular e vácuo de 10 mmHg. CONCLUSÕES: O DAV-InCor mostrou-se eficiente como substituto do ventrículo esquerdo. O desempenho deste dispositivo foi melhor quanto maior o nível de vácuo no sistema de drenagem e com a utilização de cânula ventricular.

BACKGROUND: The mechanical circulatory assistance is a therapeutic option in cases of cardiogenic shock refractory to the pharmacological treatment, and is frequently used as a bridge for heart transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the action of the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) developed by the Bioengineering Division of the Instituto do Coração, implanted as a substitute of the left heart. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten Girolando calves with medium weight of 73 kg were studied. The VAD-InCor implant was accomplished with the drainage cannula positioned in the left atrium (LA) or in the apex of the left ventricle and the replacement cannula implanted in the descending thoracic aorta. The pressures of the right and left heart, cardiac output and the flow of VAD were determined before and after the pharmacological induction of myocardial failure, at different levels of vacuum of the drainage system. RESULTS: Values of the flow of VAD with the drainage in LA were of 2.2 ± 0.5 l/min without vacuum, of 3.7 ± 0.4 with vacuum of 10 mmHg, of 4.3 ± 0.4 with vacuum of 20 mmHg and of 4.8 ± 0.6 with vacuum of 30 mmHg. The values of the pressure of LA were: 11.7 ± 6; 9.8 ± 5.3; 8.5 ± 4.4 and 5.6 ± 3.3 mmHg under the same conditions, respectively. With the ventricular cannula, the VAD flow was 4.2 ± 0.6 without vacuum and of 4.4 ± 0.7 with vacuum of 10 mmHg, with of LA pressure of 11.1 ± 2 and 10.3 ± 3.5 mmHg in the two conditions. Those results were observed in similar hemodynamic conditions, with the VAD flow responsible for a greater percentile of the total cardiac output according to the level of vacuum. That percentile was of 86 ± 13% with the atrial cannula and vacuum of 30 mmHg and of 97 ± 3% with the ventricular drainage and vacuum of 10 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: The VAD-InCor demonstrated its effectiveness as a substitute of the left heart. The performance of this device was proportional to the level of vacuum of the drainage system and was better with the ventricular cannula.

A cardiomioplastia é uma técnica que utiliza enxertos musculares esqueléticos, estimulados síncronamente ao coração, para substituir, ou envolver o miocárdio. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar as características contrateis e a resistência à fadiga do músculo grande dorsal normal e estimulado cronicamente, bem como avaliar a eficiência da cardiomioplastia como método de suporte circulatório. Treze cães foram estudados, após condicionamento elétrico do músculo grande dorsal esquerdo, por período de 6 semanas. Sete deles foram submetidos a medida isométrica da força exercida pelos músculos condicionados e pelos controles contralaterais e a estudo morfológico. Os parâmetros ideais de estimulação foram semelhantes para os músculos normais e os condicionados. Os músculos condicionados, constituídos, predominantemente, de fibras de ação lenta, apresentaram uma força de amplitude menor (-27%) e um tempo de contração mais longo (+32%). Por outro lado, as curvas de fadiga dos músculos normais, constituídos de fibras mistas, mostraram a queda inicial da força de contração e valores estáveis, após 30 minutos, inversamente proporcionais à freqüência das contrações, resultando em um mesmo índice tensão-tempo (18 ± 2 kgF. seg/min). Já os músculos condicionados apresentaram um desempenho estável nas mesmas freqüências, mantendo um índice tensão-tempo elevado (68 ± 6 kgF. reg/min). Os outros 6 animais foram submetidos a cardiomioplastia, sendo estudados hemodinâmica e ecocardiograficamente, após a indução de disfunção miocárdica. Com a estimulação síncrona do músculo esquelético, observou-se a elevação do índice cardíaco em 36 ± 4% (p<0,01), associada a queda da pressão capilar pulmonar. O aumento da fração de ejeção foi documentado (51 ± 3%), inclusive quando o enxerto foi colocado apenas sobre o ventrículo esquerdo (p < 0,01). Em conclusão: 1) os músculos esqueléticos são capazes de manter atividade semelhante ao trabalho cardíaco, com um desempenho que depende de sua capacidade aeróbica; 2) a estimulação crônica leva à transformação adaptativa das fibras musculares, aumentando a sua capacidade de trabalho aeróbico; 3) a cardiomioplastia pode ser um método alternativo, no tratamento da insuficiência miocárdica, mesmo quando é possível apenas o envolvimento parcial do coração pelo enxerto.

Beneficial effects of cardiomyoplasty have been documented and the use of this technique in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy have been suggested. This study was undertaken to evaluate the contracting and fatigue characteristics of normal and conditioned Latissimus Dorsi and the effectiveness of stimulated preconditioned skeletal muscle flaps wrapped around the heart to restore ventricular contractility in presence of myocardial dysfunction. Thirteen adult mongrel dogs were studied after burst stimulation of left Latissimus Dosi for six to eight weeks. In seven animals, conditioned muscles were compared with unconditioned contralateral controls by isometric force development. Normal and transformed muscles exhibited the same optimum pacing parameters (burst frequencies from 5o Hz up, train duration from 150 ms up). Conditioned muscles showed a smaller force (-27%) and a longer contraction time (+32%). Fatigue curves of unconditioned muscles under different duty cycles showed marked initial decrease and inversely proportional stable values of force after some minutes with equal final tension time indexes (18 ± 2 KgF. seg/min). Conditioned Latissimus Dorsi maintained stable force during prolonged stimulation under same conditions with a greater tension time index (68 ± 6 KgF. seg/min). The other six animals were submited to cardiomyoplasty; hemodynamic and echocardiographic evaluation were performed after induction of myocardial dysfunction by betablockers administration and volume loading. With synchronous pulse train stimulation increases of cardiac index by an average of 36 ± 4% (p<0.01) were observed, associated with a decrease of pulmonary wedge pressure. Ejection fraction augmentation of 51 ± 3% above the control was also documented in same conditions (p<0.01), even when muscle flap was wrapped only around the left ventricle. In conclusion, this study reveals that skeletal muscles are capable to maintain steady-state work similarly to the myocardium with a power dependent of their aerobic capacity. It also suggests the occurrency of muscle adaptive transformation, increasing its steady-state work capacity, with chronic pulse train stimulation. In addition, cardiomyoplasty may be an alternative method of treatment for irreversible cardiomyopathy, including when muscle flap may wrapp only partially the heart.