Contribution of the beating ventricles in closed-chest left-ventricular bypass in the dog

The capability of a closed-chest method for bypassing the left ventricle is described. The method is ideal for short-term support of the circulation in cases of left ventricular failure. Blood is withdrawn from the left ventricle via a catheter and pumped back into the arterial system via another catheter. A suitably designed double lumen catheter with staggered ends could be used if a single arterial penetration is desired.