An in vitro analysis of the PediMag and CentriMag for right-sided failing Fontan support

In-Vitro Validation of Self-Powered Fontan Circulation for Treatment of Single Ventricle Anomaly

“…Various improvements to the Fontan pathway have been experimented. These improvements include changes in the inferior cavopulmonary connection location, shape, and diameter [33][34][35][36][37]. Different in-silico and in-vitro models have been proposed to investigate the hemodynamics of this palliative surgery [38][39][40][41].…”

“…To better study mechanical cardiac assist to Fontan circulation, a benchtop Mock flow loop (MFL) can be used to replicate physiological states with realistic hemodynamics to develop a patient-specific circulatory system for Staged Fontan palliation and various in-vitro experiments. Trusty et al [34] employed MFL to investigate the use of PediMag and CentriMag to improve failing Fontan hemodynamics. Yamada et al [42] developed MFL to examine a pulmonary circulatory assist device and hemodynamic characteristics of its function, in which they used shape memory alloy fibers for Fontan circulation with total cavopulmonary connection.…”

Commentary: Fontan assist device support: Road map to “stage 4” palliation

“…To substantially address the fundamental issues underlying Fontan failure, durable subpulmonary support may require a completely different approach such as the one currently under development by the Indiana group. 12 Nonetheless, the report from Trusty and colleagues 5 is a valuable addition to the field. It also highlights the unmet need for devices designed for subpulmonary support to fully cover the entire spectrum of Fontan failure.…”

“…The known difficulties in replicating the Fontan failure in animals may forestall such a transition. 6 A potential issue with the approach used by Trusty and colleagues 5 is related to the fact that the subpulmonary support device forces blood to the pulmonary vasculature that has been chronically ''deconditioned'' with nonpulsatile circulation. 7 One must presume abnormalities in the pulmonary vascular bed if subpulmonary circulation is failing in the setting of normal systemic ventricular function.…”

Commentary: Engineering an optimal mechanical circulatory support system for the cavopulmonary connection

“…As the number of the patients who live with a Fontan circulation has been increasing exponentially, management of the failing Fontan circulation becomes one of the most critical issues in pediatric and adult congenital heart disease care. Dr Trusty and colleagues 1 reported an in vitro analysis of the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) system for failing Fontan circulation using a Pedi-Mag (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, Calif) or CentriMag (Thoratec Corp) centrifugal pump. This group pioneered the computational and experimental flow dynamics of the single-ventricle and cavopulmonary physiology.…”