Blood interaction with a Bioline heparin coated HIA-VAD: A study on calves

The blood compatibility of ventricular assist devices developed by the Helmholtz institute Aachen (HA-VAD's) was tested on calves. Seven calves received a non-coated HIA-VAD (control) and three a Bioline heparin coated device. The circulatory support of these HIA-VAD's lasted one week. Mechanical blood cell trauma estimated by hematocrit (Hot), hemoglobin (total Nb) and free plasma hemoglobin (free Hb) levels did not differ in either group. All HIA-VAD's in the control group remained thrombus free, except on one occasion when an inflow cannula was obstructed by a thrombus located in the tip. After circulatory support, the animals in this group seemed clinically healthy However, thrombus formation was observed in the three heparin coated HIA-VAD's. One animal in this group died from complications after re-operation for pneumothorax on the fifth day of support, whereas the other two animals seemed clinically healthy in these three animals, a stronge decrease in platelet numbers was measured even after 24 hours of support which recovered after 72 hours. This decrease in platelet numbers was associated with a lower degree of platelet aggregation ability stimulated by ADP (