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Postoperative Mechanical Circulatory Support with Biomedicus Centrifugal Pump

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiology, Istanbul University
¹ Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Istanbul American Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

For reprint information contact: Murat Mert, MD Tel: 90 532 231 6666 Fax: 90 216 435 8600 Email: mmert{at}superonline.com, Ortaklar Cad. Kantasi apt 47/3 daire 4, Mecidiyekoy - 80290, Istanbul, Turkey.

Despite advances in surgical techniques, myocardial protection, and management protocols, approximately 1% of patients undergoing open heart operations still need mechanical circulatory support for severe cardiac dysfunction. The Biomedicus centrifugal pump, available in most cardiovascular centers, is a highly effective and relatively inexpensive system compared to other more sophisticated devices for the same purpose. Of 10 patients aged 5 to 61 years who were supported for 22 to 168 hours with a Biomedicus centrifugal pump, 7 (70%) were weaned from support, there was one hospital death, and 6 patients were discharged from hospital. Two sudden deaths occurred in the first 8 months after discharge. Four patients (40%) were still alive after follow-up of 11–55 months, with no restriction in their daily activities. The centrifugal pump is a very cost-effective support system with survival rates comparable to those of more sophisticated devices in short-term ventricular assistance.