HeartMate Left Ventricular Assist Devices: A Multigeneration of Implanted Blood Pumps

Abstract

The HeartMate family of implanted left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) developed by Thermo Cardiosystems, Inc. (TCI) span a time frame that goes back to the beginning of clinical use of mechanical circulatory support and will stretch well into the foreseeable future. Associated blood pump technology employed in the HeartMates range from an original pusher plate concept to the most advanced rotary pump devices. Starting initially with a pneumatic actuated pusher plate pump, clinical use of the HeartMate I began in 1986. In 1990, electric motor-actuated versions of the HeartMate I began to be used clinically. Presently, the HeartMate I has been implanted in some 2,300 patients worldwide, and this LVAD is a standard by which all others are currently measured. Following the HeartMate I is TCI's next-generation, the HeartMate II, a rotary-pump-based LVAD that uses an axial flow blood pump having blood immersed mechanical bearings. Clinical trials of the HeartMate II were initiated in 2000. The HeartMate III, representing TCI's next-generation LVAD, is structured around a centrifugal blood pump that uses a magnetically levitated rotating assembly. Compared to the HeartMate II, the HeartMate III has the potential for higher overall efficiency. The pump's operating life is not dependent on bearing wear. Given the significantly advanced LVAD technology represented by HeartMates II and III, coupled with the experience of HeartMate I, TCI is well-poised to keep its LVAD products as industry standards in the future.

Post-operative heparin may not be required for transitioning patients with a HeartMate II left ventricular assist system to long-term warfarin therapy

“…The HeartMate II LVAD has been described previously. [3][4][5]10,11 All patients were enrolled in the BTT clinical trial sponsored by Thoratec Corporation and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Each patient or their representative provided informed written consent before LVAD implantation.…”

Durable Mechanical Circulation Support as an Alternative to Heart Transplantation

“…Отличительной особенностью насосов второго поколения является ротор, который уста-новлен в подшипниках, иммерсированных в кровь. Среди этих насосов наряду с HeartAssist (MicroMed Cardiovascular, Houston, TX), Jarvik 2000 FlowMaker (Jarvik heart, Inc., New York, NY) [18] следует отме-тить наиболее широко применяемый в последние годы в клиниках США, странах ЕС и Японии осевой насос Heart Mate II (Thoratec Corporation Pleasanton, CA) [22], который FDA допустило к клиническому использованию в 2008 г. в качестве «моста» для 2-этапной ТС, а в 2010 г. -для имплантации на пос-тоянной основе.…”

Destination Therapy with Ventricular Assist Devices

“…5). It utilizes the cannula developed for the HeartMate XVE, but without the bioprosthetic valve [12]. The advantage of the device over the other two above-mentioned devices is a control algorithm that senses when the ventricle is getting empty.…”