(955) A New Implantable Direct Cardiac Compression Device Improves Cardiac Performance in a Chronic Ovine Heart Failure Model

• Published in: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. S411 - S412
• Main Authors: Letsou, G.V., Leschinsky, B., Altman, W., Bolch, C., Hord, E., Criscione, J.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-04-2023
• ISSN: 1053-2498; 1557-3117
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2023.02.1066

We documented improved cardiac performance using a new implantable direct cardiac compression (DCC) device in an ovine chronic heart failure (HF) model. The implantable device has 2 concentric chambers encompassing left and right ventricles. Inner saline-filled chambers couple the device and epicardium. The outer chambers cyclically fill with air and empty, compressing the ventricles during systole and aiding cardiac relaxation and filling during diastole.
HF was created in 6 sheep using microsphere embolization. All had EF< 30% prior to device implantation. 3 animals had the device implanted; 3 controls underwent sham surgery. Hemodynamics were assessed shortly after implant or sham surgery, and after 14 days.
EF was assessed immediately following initial surgery and at animal sacrifice (Fig 1). In the experimental group, EF was assessed with the device on and off. Only 1 control animal survived to sacrifice; 2 other controls expired 4 & 5 days after surgery. In the control surviving to sacrifice, EF decreased to 17%. In experimental animals, EF improved from an average of 20% with the device off at the time of implant surgery to average 25% and 31% with the device off and on, respectively, at the time of sacrifice. Coronary sinus oxygenation (SO2) in the 3 experimental animals increased 10%, 20% and 0% (Fig 2).
DCC using a new implantable cardiac assist device provides reproducible improvement in EF and coronary sinus SO2 after 14 days of support in an ovine heart failure model. This is the first documentation of mechanical DCC's effectiveness in a chronic animal heart failure model.