Open AccessPlatelet Activation After Implantation of the Levitronix PediVAS in the Ovine Model
Author(s) -
C. Anderson Johnson,
Venkat Shankarraman,
Peter D. Wearden,
Ergin Koçyıldırım,
Timothy M. Maul,
John D. Marks,
J S Richardson,
Barry Gellman,
Harvey S. Borovetz,
Kurt A. Dasse,
William R. Wagner
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
asaio journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.961
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1538-943X
pISSN - 1058-2916
DOI - 10.1097/mat.0b013e31822e2535
Subject(s) - platelet , platelet activation , biocompatibility , agonist , stimulation , medicine , extracorporeal , chemistry , receptor , organic chemistry
The Levitronix PediVAS is an extracorporeal magnetically levitated pediatric ventricular assist system with an optimal flow rate range of 0.3-1.5 L/min. The system is being tested in preclinical studies to assess hemodynamic performance and biocompatibility. The PediVAS was implanted in nine ovines for 30 days using either commercially available cannulae (n = 3) or customized Levitronix cannulae (n = 6). Blood biocompatibility in terms of circulating activated platelets was measured by flow cytometric assays to detect P-selectin. Platelet activation was further examined after exogenous agonist stimulation. Platelet activation increased after surgery and eventually returned to baseline in animal studies where minimal kidney infarcts were observed. Platelet activation remained elevated for the duration of the study in animals where a moderate number of kidney infarcts with or without thrombotic deposition in the cannulae were observed. When platelet activation did return to baseline, platelets appropriately responded to agonist stimulation, signifying conserved platelet function after PediVAS implant. Platelet activation returned to baseline in the majority of studies, representing a promising biocompatibility result for the Levitronix PediVAS.