Initial in vivo experience of the VentrAssist implantable rotary blood pump in sheep.

VentrAssist (VentrAssist Division, Ventracor Ltd., Chatswood, NSW, Australia) has developed an implantable centrifugal blood pump with an integrated rotor and impeller that is hydrodynamically suspended. Bench testing has been used to assess the performance of the pump under a broad range of operating conditions. This study examined the performance of the pump in vivo up to 90 days implantation. Pumps were implanted via a left lateral thoracotomy. The inflow cannula was inserted at the apex of the left ventricle. The outflow cannula was anastomosed to the descending thoracic aorta. Eighteen implants were performed. Poor recovery from surgery was the main cause of early study termination. These studies demonstrate the suitability of the animal model for evaluation of the VentrAssist rotary blood pump. Further in vivo studies prior to preclinical trials are in progress.