Artificial organs
-
The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefit of the simultaneous use of a BioMedicus left ventricular assistance device (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, U. S. A.) and an intra-aortic balloon pump on regional blood flows, pressure, and pulsatility. ⋯ Coronary and carotid flows even increase to values higher than in the basal conditions. The simultaneous use of an intra-aortic balloon combined with the BioMedicus pump provides a pulsatile flow and increases coronary and carotid blood flows in pigs. An intra-aortic balloon can easily be combined with a BioMedicus pump whenever possible and may improve myocardial recovery in patients with postcardiotomy ventricular failure.