Assisted circulation for end-stage chronic heart failure

Despite the trend in the use of electromechanical left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), the highly compact, long lasting, and endurance characteristics of the new pneumatic system has its place in the treatment of endstage chronic heart failure. The ProCor Model 1 LVAD has an implantable pump which is small in size and has a double pusher plate design. The portable power pack is small, too. It is easy to carry, and it is synchronized to the ECG to pump during the patient's diastolic period. Constant driving conditions are set as follows: frequency rate, 60 bpm; systolic percentage, 25 (250 ms); dP/dt, 1,800 (45 ms) mm Hg.s; and driving pressure, 250 mm Hg to have a basic 3.500 L/min pump output for prolonged circulatory assistance. The 6 mm internal diameter (ID) percutaneous multipurpose pneumatic tube contains within its wall both a spiral of MP35N alloy wire connected to the myocardial lead for ECG sensing and a spiral serving as mass ready to be used for cardiac pacing with an external pacemaker when necessary. The aortic porcine bioprosthesis maintains the aortic root and the sinus ridge.