Artificial organs
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The objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes of children with heart failure of various etiologies requiring temporary use of currently available technology in the U. S. A. after extracorporeal life support (ECLS) [left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)] at Texas Children's Hospital. ⋯ The need for ECLS following repair of congenital heart disease is extremely rare in our institution. The requirement for the use of ECMO confers a significantly higher mortality presumably because of associated combined cardiopulmonary failure. Congenital heart disease appears to be associated with significantly higher mortality.
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The fluid dynamics of the Thoratec HeartMate III (Thoratec Corp., Pleasanton, CA, U. S. A.) left ventricular assist device are analyzed over a range of physiological operating conditions. ⋯ A comparison of CFD predictions to experimental imaging shows good agreement. Both CFD and experimental PIFV confirmed well-behaved flow fields in the main components of the HeartMate III pump: inlet, volute, and outlet. The HeartMate III is shown to exhibit clean flow features and good surface washing across its entire operating range.