A new heart pump for long-term circulatory support.

Introduction Experimental studies 3,6,7 indicate that the use of an artificial heart pump to provide long-term circulatory support is a valuable therapeutic adjunct in the treatment of heart failure. The use of a suitable pump to provide such support is therefore suggested in the treatment of clinical conditions in which heart failure has occurred but is potentially reversible. Pulmonary embolism, coronary thrombosis, and severe hemorrhagic shock are examples of conditions in which this variety of heart failure may occur. This paper describes a new type of heart pump which is being developed primarily for the sake of providing long-term circulatory support. An experimental study to evaluate the performance of the pump when used for 12-hour venoarterial perfusions in dogs is reported. Description of the Pump The new heart pump is powered by compressed air or other gas and is controlled by a fluid amplification system. A photograph of the latest