Clinical Application of the Ellipsoid Left Heart Assist Device

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Abstract
The ellipsoid left heart assist device (E-LVAD) was implanted in 8 patients suffering from intraoperative heart failure. These patients could not be removed from extracorporeal circulation following intracardiac surgery. Implantation of the E-LVAD was performed during extracorporeal circulation. The inflow connector was pushed forward from a purse-string suture on the right superior pulmonary vein, across the mitral valve and into the left ventricle. The outflow connector was joined to the ascending aorta. In 2 patients, the artificial heart chamber was removed after complete recovery of the circulation; these patients later died. In 6 other patients, untreatable right heart failure developed and these patients died with the pump in place. The right heart must also be mechanically supported during postoperative heart failure.