Open AccessAcute In Vivo Evaluation of the Pittsburgh Pediatric Ambulatory Lung
Author(s) -
Alexandra May,
Ryan A. Orizondo,
Brian J. Frankowski,
Peter D. Wearden,
William J. Federspiel
Publication year - 2019
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.0000000000000918
Subject(s) - medicine , ambulatory , anesthesia , nasal cannula , population , respiratory system , lung , occlusion , pneumothorax , cannula , cardiology , surgery , environmental health
Respiratory failure is a significant problem within the pediatric population. A means of respiratory support that readily allows ambulation could improve treatment. The Pittsburgh Pediatric Ambulatory Lung (P-PAL) is being developed as a wearable pediatric pump-lung for long-term respiratory support and has previously demonstrated positive benchtop results. This study aimed to evaluate acute (4-6 hours) in vivo P-PAL performance, as well as develop an optimal implant strategy for future long-term studies. The P-PAL was connected to healthy sheep (n = 6, 23-32 kg) via cannulation of the right atrium and pulmonary artery. Plasma-free hemoglobin (PfHb) and animal hemodynamics were measured throughout the study. Oxygen transfer rates were measured at blood flows of 1-2.5 L/min. All animals survived the complete study duration with no device exchanges. Flow limitation because of venous cannula occlusion occurred in trial 2 and was remedied via an altered cannulation approach. Blood exiting the P-PAL had 100% oxygen saturation with the exception of trial 4 during which inadequate device priming led to intrabundle clot formation. Plasma-free hemoglobin remained low (<20 mg/dl) for all trials. In conclusion, this study demonstrated successful performance of the P-PAL in an acute setting and established the necessary methods for future long-term evaluation.