[The intracardial hemopump. A new technique of left ventricle assist device].

A new left ventricular assist device consisting of a canula containing a turbine introduced by retrograde catheterisation was evaluated in the prevention of complications in 9 patients undergoing high risk coronary angioplasty. The good clinical and hemodynamic status during and after coronary dilatation confirmed the system's innocuity and its efficacy each time it could be correctly positioned in the ventricle (6 patients). These extremely encouraging preliminary results suggest that an additional simplification but reducing the size of the canula and increasing turbine flow, allowing percutaneously introduction would constitute a significant development.

Prophylactic intraventricular pumping in high-risk coronary angioplasty.

The 'Hemopump', an axial flow pump, when inserted in the left ventricle brings about mechanical unloading of the ventricle, thus reducing the risk of cardiac arrest during coronary angioplasty. In this study eight very ill patients with unstable myocardial ischaemia and various contraindications for coronary artery surgery were selected for coronary angioplasty with insertion of the hemopump. Anatomical difficulties prevented insertion in three patients, but coronary angioplasty was carried out successfully with the pump in place in the other five.