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OBJECTIVES The aim was to determine 3-dimensional (3D) geometrical deformation of the aortic root (AoR) following the David procedure in order to evaluate local haemodynamical conditions of individual AoR elements. METHODS In the experimental set-up, the David procedure was performed on 10 domestic pigs. Data were compared with the measurements obtained in 10 native AoRs. In each AoR, six high-resolution ultrasonometric crystals (200 Hz) were implanted, being positioned at each commissure and at the AoR base. 3D geometrical deformation of the AoR, torsion and tilt angle was determined. Computed fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation analysis was used to evaluate local pressure, flow and shear stress. RESULTS In David AoRs, the tilt angle was maximal at a peak ejection of 25.9 ± 1.49° and minimal at the end of isovolemic contraction at 23.5 ± 0.80°. David root rotation was maximal at a peak ejection of 27.93 ± 1.54° and minimal at the end of the isovolemic contraction at 25.7 ± 1.32°. In the native AoR, the opposite was observed. Here, the tilt and rotation angle were maximal at the end of isovolemic contraction (17.25 ± 0.68° and 19.71 ± 0.73°) and decreased to its minimal values at peak ejections (14.1 ± 0.62° and 16.33 ± 0.47°). In David AoR, high pressure (>140 mmHg) combined with low-to-moderate shear stress (0-40 Pa) was found at the leaflet body from the beginning of isovolemic contraction till the opening of the aortic valve. Similar high pressure (>140 mmHg) and shear stress (0-40 Pa) were found in the period from aortic valve closure till the beginning of the isovolemic contraction. In native AoRs, high pressure (>95 mmHg) was conjoined with low-to-moderate shear stress (0-30 Pa) at the leaflets and was registered at the end of isovolemic contraction. CONCLUSIONS The David AoR is haemodynamically less favourable when compared with the native AoR. During almost two-thirds of the time period of the cardiac cycle, AoR elements are exposed to high pressure and low shear stress. In contrast, in native AoRs, similar conditions were present only during the short period of isovolemic contraction.

In extreme situations such as hyperacute rejection of heart transplant or major heart trauma, heart explantation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) hemodynamic support might be the only means for survival. In our previous model of acardia, pulmonary artery (PA) was clamped and did not receive any anterograde blood flow. A model of anterograde PA perfusion might be necessary to avoid ischemic pulmonary damage in prolonged ECMO in acardia. The aim of this study was to describe the surgical technique and to determine the feasibility of an anterograde lung perfusion in acardia through the anastomosis of the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) to the PA. A venoarterial cardiopulmonary bypass was established in three pigs (72 ± 2.6 kg) by the transjugular insertion to the caval axis of a double-staged cannula with carotid artery return. Heart was excised and ECMO was established as previously reported. Right internal mammary artery was harvested and after measurement of its output (93.3 ± 5.8 ml/min, representing 2.17% ± 0.15% of total pump flow), it was anastomosed to PA. Right internal mammary artery anastomosis to PA is a feasible, safe, and easy to perform maneuver assuring an anterograde lung perfusion in acardia.

Coating of cardiopulmonary bypass circuits may be a solution to prevent adverse effects induced by contact of blood elements with foreign surfaces. Using an animal model, we investigated the Trillium™ coating of cardiopulmonary bypass circuits (a new process involving polyethylene oxide, sulphonate groups and heparin) at low systemic heparinization, focusing on haemolysis and clot formation. Cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated through jugulo-carotid acess with ACT maintained around 180 sec. Treated circuits (Trillium group) were evaluated in 3 calves (mean weight of 66.0±8.7 kg), vs. untreated circuits in 3 control calves (mean weight of 60.7±7.5 kg). Blood samples were drawn at regular intervals for biochemical, hematological and blood gas analyses. After 6 consecutive hours, the animals were weaned from CPB and were awakened. The circuits were analyzed for clot deposits. After 7 days the animals were sacrificed and an autopsy was carried out. Red cell and white cell counts did not change over the 6 hours. Platelet counts dropped to 75.9±7.3% of the baseline value in the Trillium group after 6 hours whereas counts dropped to 57.2±26.0 in the control group (p

Despite an overall improvement in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) technology and materials, air emboli still occur. The latest generation membrane oxygenator from Bentley Laboratories, the SpiralGold™, was tested ex vivo for its air handling ability. The study was conducted on four calves. Bolus amounts of air of 10, 15 and 20 cm3 were each injected three times, upstream of the oxygenator and a bubble detector located directly downstream. The amount of bubbles was measured semiquantitatively on a 10 unit scale (U = one semiquantitative unit). The animals were killed 10 days after the CPB. When 10 cm3 of air was injected, no bubbles were detected. With 15 and 20 cm3, respectively, 1 ± 1.5 and 5 ± 3.3 U of bubbles were detected. Despite a total of 135 cm3 of air injected as large bolus amounts, all the animals survived without any obvious neurological deficit secondary to air bubble manipulation. In conclusion, the Spiral Gold™ oxygenator per se can reliably trap an air bolus of up to 10 cm3. This feature should be taken into account when choosing an oxygenator, as it offers an additional barrier to air bubbles in the CPB circuit.

Objectives The aim was to evaluate the impact of the aortic valve reimplantation (David) and of the aortic root (AoR) remodelling (Yacoub) on the AoR haemodynamics. Methods In an experimental setup where the clinical scenario of Yacoub, ( n = 5, domestic pig) and of David ( n = 5, domestic pig) procedure was performed in each AoR, six high-fidelity (200 Hz) sonomicrometric crystals were implanted. Crystals were positioned at three commissures with their projection at the root base. In post-measurement processing 3D deformation of both AoR was determined and used for computed fluid dynamic modelling in order to evaluate pressure, velocity and shear stress profiles. Results In David AoR: high pressure (> 150 mmHg) and low to moderate shear stress (0-30 Pa) were found from the period of isovolemic contraction to the closure of the aortic valve. At mid diastole pressure augmentation (> 120 mmHg) a low shear stress (0-10 Pa) was registered at the leaflets, three commissures, and intervalvular triangles. In Yacoub AoR: high pressure (110-130 mmHg) with moderate low shear stress (0-30 Pa) was only registered at isovolemic contraction. Conclusions The results show that haemodynamic conditions following a David procedure have a less favourable pattern as compared to a Yacoub AoR. In David AoR, high pressure and low shear stress are present during 2/3 of the cardiac cycle, whereas in Yacoub root, these conditions are present only for a short period of isovolemic contraction.

Objectives: Femoral artery cannulation is routinely used in circulatory support scenarios for cardiorespiratory support in patients with acute cardiac and/or pulmonary decompensation. During prolonged perfusion, this may cause acute ischemia of the leg and, in the worst case, even amputation. The aim of this experimental study was to test a newly designed arterial cannula allowing proximal and distal blood flow. Methods: Veno-arterial cardiopulmonary bypass was established in three calves (67.6 ± 5.1 kg). The venous line was secured by cannulation of the external jugular vein. The arterial line of each animal was secured by cannulation of iliac arteries on both legs. On one side, we used a modified SmartCannula (SmartCannula 18Fr 130 mm) and, on the other side, a standard rectilinear BioMedicus cannula system was used, 19 Fr for retrograde and an 8 Fr BioMedicus shunt for anterograde flow toward the leg. An ultrasonic flow probe was used to quantify the perfusion of the distal leg. Results: At 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 l/min, the anterograde leg blood flow increased steadily for each cannula, but remained higher in the self-expanding cannula. That is, the 8 F rectilinear cannula achieved a blood flow of 0.02 ± 0.01, 0.1 ± 0.04, 0.22 ± 0.09, and 0.21 ± 0.02 l/min, respectively, and the 18 F self-expanding cannula achieved 0.06 ± 0.02, 0.15 ± 0.03, 0.24 ± 0.07 and 0.36 ± 0.04 l/min. Conclusion: The modified self-expanding cannula exhibited superior distal arterial flow compared to the routinely used rectilinear shunt system. This has a potential to reduce ischemic events of the inferior extremity in prolonged perfusion.

The AB-180 is a new implantable centrifugal pump with a low volume dome (10 ml) and a local heparin delivery system which avoids systemic heparinization. This study focuses on its hemodynamic performance. We analyzed 3 anesthetized calves (71.0 +/- 2.5 kg), equipped with arterial pressure (AP), and Swan-Ganz and left atrial pressure (LAP) catheters. The AB-180 pump was installed through a left thoracotomy, with a transmitral left ventricular (LV) inflow cannula inserted via the left appendage and an outflow tract sutured to the descending aorta. LAP, AP, and blood flow across the pump were recorded for various pump speed and in different preload conditions (right atrial pressure = 4, 7, and 10 mm Hg, respectively). The pump significantly unloaded the left heart cavities and was able to increase the mean AP. For an RAP of 10 mm Hg, running the pump at 4,500 rpm decreased the LAP from 11.0 +/- 0.8 mm Hg to 3.0 +/- 0.8 mm Hg (p < 0.001) and augmented the mean AP from 48.2 +/- 6.4 mm Hg to 80.8 +/- 12.1 mm Hg (p < 0.001). A maximal pump flow of 5.6 +/- 0.2 L/min was obtained under these conditions. In addition to the advantage of its particular design, the AB-180 can be considered as an efficient left ventricular assist device (LVAD). It significantly unloads the left heart cavities and ensures efficient systemic AP and blood flow.

Although gravity drainage has been the standard technique for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), the development of min imally invasive techniques for cardiac surgery has renewed interest in using vacuum assisted venous drainage (VAVD) Dideco (Mirandola, Italy) has modified the D903 Avant oxygenator to apply a vacuum to its venous reservoir. The impact of VAVD on blood damage with this device is analyzed. Six calves (mean body weight, 71.3 +/- 4.1 kg) were con nected to CPB by jugular venous and carotid arterial cannu lation, with a flow rate of 4-4.51 L/min for 6 h. They were assigned to gravity drainage (standard D903 Avant oxygen ator, n = 3) or VAVD (modified D903 Avant oxygenator, n = 3). The animals were allowed to survive for 7 days. A standard battery of blood samples was taken before bypass, throughout bypass, and 24 h, 48 h, and 7 days after bypass. Analysis of variance was used for repeated measurements. Thrombocyte and white blood cell counts, corrected by hematocrit and normalized by prebypass values, were not significantly different between groups throughout all study periods. The same holds true for hemolytic parameters (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and plasma hemoglobin). Both peaked at 24 hr in the standard and VAVD groups: LDH, 2,845 +/- 974 IU/L vs. 2,537 +/- 476 IU/L (p = 0.65), respectively; and plasma hemoglobin, 115 +/- 31 mg/L vs. 89 +/- 455 mg/L (p = 0.45), respectively. In this experimental setup with prolonged perfusion time, VAVD does not increase trauma to blood cells in comparison with standard gravity drainage.