Evaluation of platelet aggregability during left ventricular bypass using a MedTech MagLev VAD in a series of chronic calf experiments.
The impact of continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) pumping on platelet aggregation was investigated in animal experiments utilizing six calves. A single-use MagLev centrifugal blood pump, MedTech MagLev, was used to bypass the calves' hearts from the left atrium to the descending aorta at a flow rate of 50 ml/kg/min. The LVAD's impact on blood coagulation activities was evaluated based on the platelet aggregability, which was measured with a turbidimetric assay method during the preoperative, operative, and postoperative periods. Heparin and warfarin were used for anticoagulation, while aspirin was used for the antiplatelet therapy. A decrease in platelet aggregation immediately after the pump started was observed in the cases of successful long-term pump operation, while the absence of such a decrease might have caused coagulation-related complications to terminate the experiments. Thus, the platelet aggregability was found to be significantly affected by the pump, and its initial trend may be related to the long-term outcome of the mechanical circulatory support.
Department of Biodesign, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan. t_kimura_s@hotmail.co.jp
Taro
T
Kimura
Yoshimasa
Y
Yokoyama
Daisuke
D
Sakota
Eiki
E
Nagaoka
Takashi
T
Kitao
Kazuo
K
Takakuda
Setsuo
S
Takatani
D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002417:Cattle; D018611:Heart Bypass, Left; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014859:Warfarin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin; D001241:Aspirin