 |
The world’s first artificial double heart pump is being developed by researchers from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and The Prince Charles Hospital.
The device would provide a dual pumping system to work for both sides of the heart, the left and right ventricles.
"Current implantable heart pumps focus heavily on supporting the left ventricle, as this side provides the highest workload, pumping blood to the whole body," said Nick Gaddum (pictured) of QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation.
"But studies have found a need for right heart support in a significant number of patients to help maintain blood flow through the lungs after the left heart alone has suffered from heart attack."
Mr Gaddum said the left ventricle was the largest and most muscular chamber of the heart, and that when a heart attack occurred it generally resulted in the failure of that ventricle.
"When the left ventricle fails one treatment is to implant a pump inside the patient to assist the failed ventricle to pump blood around the body," he said.
"What can often happen, however, is that after left heart failure, the right ventricle can fail due to the higher workload before the pump is implanted.
"A single compact device that is designed to provide dual pumping assistance is needed in these cases."
The hydraulic design of the left and right heart supporting pumps makes the device unique, Mr Gaddum said.
"The left heart-supporting pump adjusts its output depending on the operation of the right heart-supporting pump and vice versa," he said. "This allows them to work together."
Development of the pump will be welcome news to the 3.6 million Australians affected by cardiovascular disease. Pre-clinical trials will begin in September.
Last reviewed 3 April 2007