Ventricular assist device

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A Ventricular assist device, or VAD, is a mechanical device that is used to partially or completely replace the function of a failing heart. Some VADs are intended for short term use, typically for patients recovering from heart attacks or heart surgery, while others are intended for long term use (months to years and in some cases for life), typically for patients suffering from congestive heart failure.

VADs need to be clearly distinguished from artificial hearts, which are designed to completely take over cardiac function and generally require the removal of the patient's heart.

VADs are designed to assist either the right (RVAD) or left (LVAD) ventricle, or both at once (BiVAD). The choice of device depends on the underlying heart disease and the pulmonary arterial resistance which determines the load on the right ventricle. LVADs are most commonly used but when pulmonary arterial resistance is high, right ventricular assist becomes necessary. Long term VADs are normally used to keep patients alive with a good quality of life while they wait for a heart transplant (bridge to transplant). However LVADs are sometimes used as destination therapy sometimes as a bridge to recovery [1][2] .

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[edit] Design

[edit] Overview

Most VADS operate on similar principles. A cannula is inserted into the apex of the appropriate ventricle. Blood passes through this to a pump and thence through a tube to the aorta in the case of an LVAD or to the pulmonary artery in the case of an RVAD. The pump is powered through a lead which connects it to a controller and power supply. In some cases there is also a tube to vent the pump to the outside air. The Jarvik 2000 operates slightly differently - the pump is actually located inside the left ventricle, its outflow passes through the apex of the ventricle to a tube which leads to the aorta.

Major distinguishing features between the different VADS are the pump (which can vary substantially in method of operation, size and placement), the controller, the materials used both for the pump and the associated tubes and cannulas and the lead between the pump and the controller/power supply.

A newer class of percutaneous ventricular assist devices has been developed. These are typically introduced into the circulation by an interventional cardiologist using non-surgical techniques, and may be used for short-term support of the left[3] or right[4] ventricles.

[edit] Pumps

Pumps used in VADS can be divided into two main categories - pulsatile pumps which mimic the natural pulsing action of the heart, and continuous flow pumps.

Pulsatile VADS use positive displacement pumps. In some of these pumps the volume occupied by blood varies during the pumping cycle, and if the pump is contained inside the body then a vent tube to the outside air is required. The only three LVADS approved by the FDA for use in the US are all pulsatile pumps[5]. All were approved between 1994 and 1998, indicating the relative maturity of this technology.

Continuous flow VADs normally use either centrifugal pumps or axial flow pump. Both types have a central rotor containing permanent magnets. Controlled electric currents running through coils contained in the pump housing apply forces to the magnets which cause the rotors to rotate. In the centrifugal pumps the rotors are shaped to accelerate the blood circumferentially and thus cause it to move towards the outer rim of the pump whereas in the axial flow pumps the rotors are more or less cylindrical with blades that are more or less helical, causing the blood to be accelerated in the direction of the rotor's axis.

An important issue with continuous flow pumps is the method used to suspend the rotor. Early versions used solid bearings however newer pumps, some of which are approved for use in the EU use either electromagnetic or hydrodynamic suspension. Manufacturers claim that these methods of suspension not only virtually eliminate wear but also reduce damage to blood cells.

[edit] Outcomes

Because the devices generally result in blood flowing over a non biologic surface, predisposing the blood to clotting, there is need for anticoagulation. There is one device, the Heartmate, which provides a biologic surface derived from fibrin and does not require long term anticoagulation; unfortunately, this biologic surface may predispose to infection.

A test carried out in 2001 by Dr Eric Rose and the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance of the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure (REMATCH) study group using patients with Congestive Heart Failure who were ineligible for a transplant showed a survival at two years of 23% for those implanted with an LVAD compared with 8% for those who were given drug treatment. The two major complications of VAD implantation were infection and mechanical failure.

According to a retrospective cohort study comparing patients treated with a left ventricular assist device versus inotrope therapy while awaiting heart transplantation, the group treated with LVAD had improved clinical and metabolic function at the time of transplant with better blood pressure, sodium, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. After transplant, 57.7% of the inotrope group had renal failure versus 16.6% in the LVAD group; 31.6% of the inotrope group had right heart failure versus 5.6% in the LVAD group; and event-free survival was 15.8% in the inotrope group versus 55.6% in the LVAD group. [6]


The CE Mark bridge to transplant clinical trials for the VentrAssist device showed that after 154 days 40 per cent of patients had received transplants and 43 per cent were still alive and transplant eligible, giving a success rate for the trial of 83 per cent [7].

New VAD designs which are now approved for use in the European Community and are undergoing trials for FDA approval have all but eliminated mechanical failure.

VAD-related infection can be caused by a large number of different organisms:[8]

Treatment of VAD-related infection is exceedingly difficult and many patients die of infection despite optimal treatment. Initial treatment should be with broad spectrum antibiotics, but every effort must be made to obtain appropriate samples for culture. A final decision regarding antibiotic therapy must be based on the results of microbiogical cultures.

Other problems include immunosuppression, clotting with resultant stroke, and bleeding secondary to anticoagulation. It is interesting to note that some of the polyurethane components used in the devices cause the deletion of a subset of immune cells when blood comes in contact with them. This predisposes the patient to fungal and some viral infections necessitating appropriate prophylactic therapy.

As of July 2007, 69 year old Peter Houghton was the longest surviving recipient of a VAD for permanent use. He received an experimental Jarvik 2000 LVAD in June 2000 [9].

VADs not only extend the quantity of life, but also the quality of life. People who have had VADs implanted have had lower rates of depression than those people suffering from cardiac disease that have not undergone implantation surgery. For instance since receiving his LVAD Peter Houghton has completed a 91 mile charity walk, published two books, lectured widely, hiked in the Swiss Alps and the American West, flown in an ultra-light aircraft, and traveled extensively around the world [10].

In a small number of cases left ventricular assist devices, combined with drug therapy, have enabled the heart to recover sufficiently for the device to be able to be removed (explanted)[11][12] .

The majority of VADs on the market today are somewhat bulky, however one of the smallest devices available weighs only 20g.

One type of VAD which has CE Mark approval for use in the EU and is present in clinical trials in the US (VentrAssist), relies on a varying current in electrical coils in the pump's housing to drive the rotor within the pump and on hydrodynamic forces to levitate the rotor. This results in a pump with only one moving part and with no contact between moving parts thus minimising wear. As at June 2007 these pumps had been implanted in over 100 patients including a 10 year old girl. In one case the original heart recovered after the device had been implanted for a year and the device was able to be removed.

Another type of VAD currently being developed relies on magnetic levitation to drive the rotor within the pump, thereby minimizing the wear and reducing the size of the pump substantially. The first magnetically levitating pump has recently been implanted for clinical trials in Greece and is expected to begin US Clinical Trials in 2007. Magnetic levitation technologies are expected to result in small pediatric VADs within the next four years.

[edit] History

The early VADs emulated the heart by using a "pulsatile" action where blood is alternately sucked into the pump from the left ventricle then forced out into the aorta. Devices of this kind include the Heartmate, which was approved for use in the US by the FDA in October 1994. These devices are commonly referred to as first generation VADs

More recent work has concentrated on continuous flow pumps, which can be roughly categorized as either centrifugal pumps or axial flow impeller driven pumps. These pumps have the advantage of greater simplicity resulting in smaller size and greater reliability. These devices are referred to as second generation VADs. A side effect is that the user will not have pulse and will need to carry documentation saying that the lack of a pulse does not mean that they are dead.

Third generation VADs suspend the impeller in the pump using either hydrodynamic or electromagnetic suspension, thus removing the need for bearings and reducing the number of moving parts to one.

Another technology undergoing clinical trials is the use of trans cutaneous induction to power and control the device rather than using percutaneous cables. Apart from the obvious cosmetic advantage this reduces the risk of infection and the consequent need to take preventative action. A pulsatile pump using this technology has CE Mark approval and is in clinical trials for US FDA approval.

A very different approach in the early stages of development is the use of an inflatable cuff around the aorta. Inflating the cuff contracts the aorta and deflating the cuff allows the aorta to expand - in effect the aorta becomes a second left ventricle. A proposed refinement is to use the patient's skeletal muscle, driven by a pacemaker, to power this device which would make it truly self contained. In any case it has substantial potential advantages in avoiding the need to operate on the heart itself and in avoiding any contact between blood and the device. Interestingly this approach involves a return to a pulsatile flow.

[edit] List of implantable VAD devices

This is a partial list and may never be complete
Referenced additions are welcome

Device Manufacturer Type Approval Status as at December 2007
Novacor World Heart Pulsatile Approved for use in North America, European Union and Japan
Heartmate Thoratec Pulsatile Approved for use in North America
Heartmate II Thoratec Rotor driven continuous axial flow, ball and cup bearings. Approved for use in European Union. FDA approval for bridge to transplant achieved November 2007.
Incor Berlin Heart Continuous flow driven by a magnetically suspended axial flow rotor. Approved for use in European Union.
Jarvik 2000 Jarvik Heart Continuous flow, axial rotor supported by ceramic bearings Approved for use in the European Union. Clinical trials for FDA approval are planned.
MicroMed DeBakey VAD MicroMed Continuous flow driven by axial rotor supported by ceramic bearings Approved for use in the European Union. The child version is approved for use in children in USA. Undergoing clinical trials in USA for FDA approval.
VentrAssist Ventracor Continuous flow driven by a hydrodynamically suspended centrifugal rotor. Approved for use in European Union and Australia. Undergoing clinical trials for FDA approval
MTIHeartLVAD MiTiHeart Corporation Continuous flow driven by a magnetically suspended centrifugal rotor. Yet to start clinical trials.
C-Pulse Sunshine Heart Pulsatile, driven by an inflatable cuff around the aorta Yet to start clinical trials
HVAD HeartWare Similar to Ventracor - magnetic impellor similar to BLDCmotor undergoing clinical trials for CE, applied to start FDA US trials
DuraHeart Terumo Magnetically levitated centrifugal pump CE approved, yet to begin FDA trials


[edit] References

  1. ^ Birks E, Tansley PD, Hardey J, George RS, Bowles CT, Burke M, Khaghani A, Banner NR, Yacoub MH (2006). "Left Ventricular Assist Device and Drug Therapy for the Reversal of Heart Failure". New Eng. J. Med 355 (18): 1873–1884. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa053063. 
  2. ^ First VentrAssist Heart Recovery Featured on National TV
  3. ^ Idelchik GM, Simpson L, Civitello AB, Loyalka P, Gregoric ID, Delgado R 3rd, Kar B. (2008). "Use of the percutaneous left ventricular assist device in patients with severe refractory cardiogenic shock as a bridge to long-term left ventricular assist device implantation.". J Heart Lung Transplant. doi:10.1016/j.healun.2007.10.013. PMID 18187095. 
  4. ^ Atiemo AD, Conte JV, Heldman AW. (2006). "Resuscitation and recovery from acute right ventricular failure using a percutaneous right ventricular assist device.". Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. doi:10.1002/ccd.20691. PMID 16763986. 
  5. ^ FDA approved VADs
  6. ^ Bank AJ, Mir SH, Nguyen DQ, et al (2000). "Effects of left ventricular assist devices on outcomes in patients undergoing heart transplantation". Ann. Thorac. Surg. 69 (5): 1369–74; discussion 1375. PMID 10881807. 
  7. ^ CE Mark Clinical Trial Results
  8. ^ Gordon RJ, Quagliarello B, Lowy FD (2006). "Ventricular assist device-related infections". Lancet Infect Dis 6 (7): 426–37. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(06)70522-9. 
  9. ^ Patient Sets World Record for Living with Heart Assist Device
  10. ^ The First Lifetime-Use Patient
  11. ^ Birks E, Tansley PD, Hardey J, George RS, Bowles CT, Burke M, Khaghani A, Banner NR, Yacoub MH (2006). "Left Ventricular Assist Device and Drug Therapy for the Reversal of Heart Failure". New Eng. J. Med 355 (18): 1873–1884. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa053063. 
  12. ^ First VentrAssist Heart Recovery Featured on National TV

UPMC's dolphin, formerly on ECMO, now has a thoratec LVAD.

[edit] External links