Objective To compare the assisting function between a new paraaortic counterpulsation device (PACD) and the intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) in acute severe heart failure in sheep. Methods Eight healthy adult small fattailed sheep were chosen in our study. The selfmade PACD (with a stroke volume of 55 ml) was anastomosed to the descending aorta through a valveless graft, and an intraaortic balloon (with a stroke volume of 40 ml) was placed in the descending aorta for the purpose of counterpulsation assisting. Acute severe heart failure model was established by snaring coronary artery branches. The hemodynamic changes of both devices were recorded during, before and after the counterpulsation assisting. Results Eight heart failure sheep models were successfully set up. Cardiac output (CO), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and left ventricular end diastolic presssure (LVEDP) after the heart failure were significantly different compared with basic value (t=-8.466, 34.083, 25.767, -5.219, P=0.000). After IABP and PACD assisting, the mean aortic diastolic pressure (MADP) didn’t significantly or did increase (38.34±7.13 mm Hg vs. 38.42±6.81 mm Hg, P=0.418; 38.34±7.13 mm Hg vs.54.14±10.13 mm Hg, P=0.001), and the degree of increasing between the two methods showed a significant difference (P=0.010); LVEDP didn’t significantly decrease (7.43±2.54 mmHg vs. 7.32±2.14 mm Hg, P=0.498; 7.43±2.54 mm Hg vs. 6.53±1.91 mm Hg, P=0.821), and there was no significant difference between the two methods in the change (P=0.651); the coronary sinus flow (CSF) didn’t significantly or did increase (86.63±7.71 ml/min vs. 87.04±6.53 ml/min, P=0.981; 86.63±7.71 ml/min vs. 110.52±11.03 ml/min, P=0.000), and there was a significant difference in the change of CSF between the two methods (P=0.000). IABP didn’t significantly decrease the left carotid artery flow (LCAF) (131.07±21.26 ml/min vs. 128.36±20.38 ml/min, P=0.689), while PACD increased it (131.07±21.26 ml/min vs. 151.29±18.37 ml/min, P=0.008), and there was a significant difference in the change of pressure waveform between the two methods (P=0.002). The thrombus, thrombosis and ischemic necrosis were not found in the hematosac of PACD, artificial blood vessels, heart, lung, liver or kidney of the animal. No apparent abnormalities of the pathohistological sections were detected under optical microscope. Conclusion IABP has no assisting function for the heart of animal with severe heart failure. However, PACD can improve hemodynamic parameters like MADP, returned blood volume in the coronary artery and perfusion volume into the brain, which may become a promising implantable device for severe heart failure.

Citation： Comparison of the Assisting Function Between a New Paraaortic Counterpulsation Device and Intraaortic Balloon Pump in Acute Severe Heart Failure in Sheep. 新型主动脉旁与主动脉内球囊反搏对羊重度急性心力衰竭辅助的实验研究. Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2011, 18(2): 136-140. doi: Copy