Experimental Investigation to Ensure a Safety of the Exchange of Extracorporeal-Type Ventricular Assist Devices in Long-Term-Use Patients

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are widely applied for end-stage congestive heart failure patients. Considering the shortage of organs donations in Japan, VADs tend to be used for longer period. The extracorporeal-type Toyobo VAD has been used. Because the guarantee period of the Toyobo VAD is one month due to a potential risk of thrombus formation inside the VAD, it is necessary to exchange the VAD periodically in a long time. In the VAD exchange, the cable-ties are removed and the VAD used including stainless-steel connectors are replaced with a new VAD. In the case of the patient for long-term-usage who can move, there is a danger that the connection parts will be detached just after VAD exchange in case some kinds of loads are added to the VAD. Therefore, it is necessary for both patients and nurses to understand the quantitative load for the detachment of the VAD.