The International journal of artificial organs
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In vitro evaluation of hydraulic characteristics of prototype implantable intrathecal infusion pump.
The use of the intrathecal infusion pump for therapeutic treatment and pain management is increasing. For example, one such application is the pain treatment of cancer patients suffering from severe chronic pain, where all other treatment methods have failed. This method is gaining popularity because of its high cure effect with low dosage. ⋯ In a pressure change test, at a constant temperature of 36.5°C, the minimal amounts of a bolus were 5.06 (1.17), 5.94 (0.67), and 6.13 (0.39) uL for pressures of 1.0, 0.9 and 0.8 atm, respectively. These experimental results demonstrate the possibility of using the prototype pump as an implantable microvolumetric infusion device. However, this prototype pump will have to undergo further design enhancement before being clinically feasible for such an application.
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Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are an effective therapeutic option for end-stage heart failure (HF). Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) as a result of autonomic derangement is evident in chronic heart failure and several studies have established the independent prognostic value of HRV in chronic heart failure. ⋯ In end-stage heart failure patients autonomic imbalance indicated by severely reduced heart rate variability is restored after LVAD implantation with unloading of the failing heart.