title: Ninety-day survival of a calf implanted with a continuous-flow total artificial heart.
abstract: We evaluated the effects of steady state flow and perfusion on end-organ function in a long-term calf model. The animal received a continuous-flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) that we created from two axial-flow ventricular assist devices. Pump flow, blood pressure, and other pump parameters were monitored throughout the study, as were arterial blood gas and hematologic values, including neurohormone levels. Some hematologic values were mildly abnormal transiently after surgery but returned to acceptable levels within the first week. During the 90-day study, the calf showed no signs of hemolysis or thrombosis. Its mental function remained normal, as evidenced by the animal's interest in its surroundings and response to stimuli. End-organ and vasomotor function was not adversely affected by 90 days of steady state flow. This was the first study in which CFTAH support of an animal model was maintained for this duration.
authors.affiliation: From the Cardiovascular Research Laboratories, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Cohn
authors.forename: Jo Anna
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parnis
authors.forename: Gil G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Costas
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beathard
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Conger
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Frazier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D006354:Heart, Artificial; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*