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A Comparative Study of a Group of Eight Calves, Surviving Longer than 1 Month with the Total Artificial Heart
Author(s) -
Vaŝků Jaromír,
Ĉerný Jan,
Vaŝků Jan,
Urbánek Erich,
Dostál Miloslav,
Urbánek Petr,
Guba Peter,
Pavlíĉek Viktor,
Sládek Tomáŝ,
Smutnŷ Miloŝ,
Úlehla Tomáŝ,
Hartmannová Brigita,
Trbuŝek Vojtêch,
JaneĉkovAaA Helena,
ŜotolovAaA Olga,
Ŝotáková Eva,
Wendsche Peter,
Doleẑel Svatopluk,
Filkuka Jaroslav,
Gregor Zdenêk,
Bednar̂ík Bohumil,
Svoboda Petr
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.1983.tb04228.x
Subject(s) - artificial heart , medicine , body weight , zoology , surgery , biology
Over the last 21/2 years, eight calves with implanted total artificial hearts (from experimental group IV) have survived for >1 month. In this group two subgroups were further differentiated, subgroup IVa, including three calves surviving 31, 35, and 75 days, and subgroup IVb, with five calves surviving 104, 142, 150, and 155 days and one calf still surviving >160 days. Mean survival in the fourth group was > 106.5 days. The artificial ventricles used were the TNS‐BRNO‐II made of polymethylmethacrylate (seven calves) and the TNS‐BRNO‐III, made of segmented polyetherurethane (one calf). The controller and driving units were of our own design. The Chirasist‐TN‐3 and TN‐4 worked without trouble over the total duration of the studies in all calves. Autoregulation of suction was used in three of these calves. All calves survived in good physiological condition; however, some common changes were observed in all of them, such as a gradual central venous pressure increase and liver enlargement. Anticoagulation therapy was used in all calves. Causes of death were technical in three cases and biological in four. Body weight gains were normal in the majority of these calves, with slight individual differences observed. Diaphragm mineralization of various degrees was observed in three cases. In one of them it was directly related to the cause of death. These results are very encouraging for further development of the total artifical heart research in our center.