title: Stent treatment of inferior vena cava compression in an ovine with a total artificial heart.
abstract: Although current continuous-flow total artificial hearts (CFTAHs) are much smaller than previous models, venous kinking may still occur after device implantation, especially in smaller animals. By inserting a self-expanding stent at the site of venous narrowing in a sheep model implanted with a CFTAH, we were able to restore the normal venous geometry and dramatically increase the CFTAH output. Because this percutaneous approach avoids the challenges associated with reoperation in these cases, it may be useful to other CFTAH investigators.
authors: Cardiovascular Research Laboratories, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX, USA. gemen.tuzun@tamu.edu
authors: Egemen
authors: E
authors: Tuzun
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Parnis
authors: Jesse
authors: J
authors: Rios
authors: Jo Anna
authors: JA
authors: Winkler
authors: William E
authors: WE
authors: Cohn
references: Tex Heart Inst J. 2009;36(6):568-74
references: 20069083
references: Trans Am Soc Artif Intern Organs. 1980;26:251-5
references: 7245493