Cardiac Loading using Passive Left Atrial Pressurization and Passive Afterload for Graft Assessment.

Ex vivo machine perfusion or normothermic machine perfusion is a preservation method that has gained great importance in the transplantation field. Despite the immense opportunity for assessment due to the beating state of the heart, current clinical practice depends on limited metabolic trends for graft evaluation. Hemodynamic measurements obtained from left ventricular loading have garnered significant attention within the field due to their potential as objective assessment parameters.

Acute Response of Human Aortic Endothelial Cells to Loss of Pulsatility as Seen during Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) results in short-term (3-5 h) exposure to flow with diminished pulsatility often referred to as "continuous flow". It is unclear if short-term exposure to continuous flow influences endothelial function, particularly, changes in levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic cytokines. In this study, we used the endothelial cell culture model (ECCM) to evaluate if short-term (≤5 h) reduction in pulsatility alters levels of pro-inflammatory/pro-angiogenic cytokine levels.

In Vitro Examination of the VentriFlo True Pulse Pump for Failing Fontan Support.

The current methodology of Fontan palliation results in a one "pump" circulatory system with passive flow to the lungs. Inherent hemodynamic differences exist between a biventricular circulatory system and this modified physiology, leading to a host of long-term complications. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a potential option to combat these pathophysiological conditions.