Circulatory Support of Cardiac Interventional Procedures with the Hemopump^TM Cardiac Assist System

Abstract

The Hemopump^TM is a catheter-mounted mechanical circulatory assist device which can support the majority of the circulation and significantly reduce left-ventricular work. It can be introduced via a peripheral artery or the ascending aorta. The following is an overview of the operation of the Hemopump and the results of a clinical trial in which the Hemopump was used to treat cardiogenic shock. In addition, the results of pilot experiences using the Hemopump for circulatory support during aorto-coronary artery surgery and high-risk angioplasty will be discussed.

Mechanical Circulatory Assist Devices

“…ygenator substitute for CPB for isolated coronary artcry bypass. A third device, a wire-guided 14 F version, which creates flows of 2 Umin, is being examined as support for high-risk angioplasty patients [14].…”

Hydraulic properties of the Hemopump HP31: a study of the downstream pressure distribution

“…Micro-axial blood pumps have been revealed as an useful tool either for short term or for chronic left ventricular assistance [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. The Hemopump (Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA) is a device based on the principle of the screw pump: it furnishes, by conversion from electric energy, rotating energy to a high speed rotor [8].…”

“…The elevated speed rotation accelerates blood transferring it from the low pressure inlet to the high pressure outlet. The Hemopump is a device for left ventricular assistance having an axial pump, with an aspiration silicone cannula, connected by a flexible drive cable to an electromagnetic motor, this one being controlled by the Hemopump drive unit [7,8]. The drive unit provides seven different speed rotation levels, trying to mantain at a costant value the pump rotation speed for each available setting controlling the motor current erogation in consequence of the changing pressure and flow working conditions.…”