In vivo evaluation of the pulsatile ECLS system.
Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems have been increasingly applied to groups of patients with cardiorespiratory failure, including pediatric and adult patients with respiratory failure. Current pulsatile ECLS systems use a single pulsatile blood pump that generates a high inlet pressure in the membrane oxygenator. To minimize this high inlet pressure, we have developed a new and improved ECLS system, twin pulse life support (T-PLS). To analyze the advantages of T-PLS, we have compared T-PLS with a single pulsatile ECLS system. An acute heart failure model was constructed by using a pulmonary artery banding technique. Fourteen pigs (22-31 kg) were used, with cardiac outputs of 2.0 l/min and a V/Q ratio set at 1. Cannulae of 28 Fr and 18 Fr were used in the right atrium and aorta, respectively. A polypropylene hollow-fiber membrane oxygenator and four polymer valves 30 mm in diameter were used in the T-PLS system. In the single pulsatile ECLS system, Medtronic Hall monostrut valves were used. To evaluate blood cell trauma in both pulsatile ECLS systems, plasma free hemoglobin (fHb) was measured while the systems were in use. The results show that fHb levels in T-PLS are lower than fHb levels in the single pulsatile ECLS system. There is a possibility that T-PLS could be used as an ECLS system for emergency situations.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Medical Center, 126-1, Anam-dong 5-ga, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 136-705, Korea. hslee@ri.ncvc.go.jp
Hwan Sung
HS
Lee
Yang Rae
YR
Rho
Hyuk Soo
HS
Lee
Chang Mo
CM
Hwang
Seong Wook
SW
Choi
Jung Chan
JC
Lee
Hyuk
H
Choi
Sang Su
SS
Ahn
Kyung
K
Sun
Ho Sung
HS
Son
Kwang Je
KJ
Baek
Yong Soon
YS
Won
Byoung Goo
BG
Min
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D023421:Models, Animal; D013552:Swine