F. Miyawaki et al., SPLIT-CIRCULATION ASSIST DEVICE FACILITATES HEART-FAILURE MANAGEMENT AND INCREASES EFFECTS OF INTRAAORTIC BALLOON PUMPING, ASAIO journal, 44(5), 1998, pp. 628-633
The split-circulation assist device (SCAD) comprises an intraaortic ba
lloon pump (IABP), percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) equipme
nt, and two occlusion balloons that occlude the descending thoracic ao
rta by alternate inflation. With the SCAD, the failing heart, assisted
by IABP, maintains only the upper 25-30% of the entire circulation wi
thout any interference by bypass flow from PCPS. An animal experiment
indicated that a given rise in cardiac output caused an increase in ao
rtic pressure in the SCAD group about three times greater than that in
the control group tan ordinary combination of IABP and PCPS). Thus, b
y causing greater increases in arterial pressure, the SCAD may make po
ssible detection of subtle increases in cardiac output, and therefore
early detection of cardiac recovery. Multiple regression analysis from
the pressure and flow data obtained in another experiment indicated t
hat the SCAD facilitated the prediction of cardiac outputs and loads b
y preventing the bypass flow rate from influencing the aortic pressure
. In addition, the SCAD may enhance cardiac assistance by increasing t
he effects of IABP. Therefore, the SCAD is a useful and potent new cir
culatory assist device that can facilitate both timely weaning from PC
PS and heart failure management.