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Severe right heart failure, often overlooked and challenging to manage, has prompted a growing interest in innovative approaches to provide functional support. This study uses experimentation in large porcine models to introduce a novel prototype of a pulsatile mechanical circulatory support device and document its effects when deployed as a right ventricular assist device (RVAD). The pulsatile ventricular assist platform (pVAP), featuring a membrane pump driven by an intra-aortic balloon pump console, actively generates pulsatile flow to propel right ventricular blood into the pulmonary artery. This novel prototype demonstrates promising potential in addressing the challenges of right heart failure management. After preliminary in vitro assessments, the pVAP was tested on seven porcine models in a healthy state and after the induction of right ventricular failure. During the procedure, a set of standard ( ie , standard-of-care) hemodynamic measurements was obtained. Additionally, invasive pressure-volume loop analysis was employed to examine left ventricular hemodynamics. Results indicated that activation of the pVAP during right ventricular failure significantly improved systemic hemodynamics and enhanced left ventricular function. This study sheds light on the potential of the pVAP in managing right heart failure.
Knigge et al. (Wed,) studied this question.