Microcirculation of a bulbar conjunctiva in calves with the total artificial heart: results of a long-term study

The aim of this work was to study the microcirculation in calves with total artificial heart (TAH) using the observation of the microcirculatory bed of bulbar conjunctiva. The examination were performed on 21 calves with total artificial heart and 8 controls. The microcirculatory bed was registered using the flash photographic method. In experimental calves after artificial heart implantation the microvasculature was studied two times in a week, to follow the pathophysiological changes in longitudinal periods until 100 days, between 100 and 200 days and after 200 days. For the evaluation we used the correlation analysis between arteriovenous diameter ratio (A/V ratio) and the values of central venous pressure (CVP). On the basis of our results we can conclude that during the survival period with TAH the morphological changes of conjunctival microvasculature occur. Our results showed the varicosities, serpentine-like forms and typical congestive changes of small vessels in bulbar conjunctiva. The correlation analysis showed the positive correlation between arteriovenous diameter ratio (A/V ratio) and central venous pressure (CVP) in the late phase of survival period between 100 to 200 days and over 200 days. The number of pathological changes of calves with artificial heart implantation.