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.
Lee
Hwan Sung
HS
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
Rho
Yang Rae
YR
Lee
Hyuk Soo
HS
Hwang
Chang Mo
CM
Choi
Seong Wook
SW
Lee
Jung Chan
JC
Choi
Hyuk
H
Ahn
Sang Su
SS
Sun
Kyung
K
Son
Ho Sung
HS
Baek
Kwang Je
KJ
Won
Yong Soon
YS
Min
Byoung Goo
BG
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D023421:Models, Animal; D013552:Swine