Hemodynamic changes with posture in calves with total artificial heart

Hemodynamic changes with posture, sitting versus standing, were analyzed in five Holstein calves with the Cleveland Clinic-Nimbus TAH. This total artificial heart (TAH) has a left master alternate control mode that adjusts the pump rate and consequently pump flow proportional to the pulmonary venous return to the left pump (AUTO period). However, in this series of experiments, the pump reached its maximum beat rate within 1-5 days post operatively, after which pump flow could not increase (MAXperiod). Hemodynamic parameters (RAP, LAP, PAP, AoP, and pump flow) were obtained every 15-20 min throughout the experiments for as long as 120 days and averaged for each posture for each period. During the AUTO period, the flow while standing was significantly higher than that while sitting (standing: 8.7 ± 0.2 L/min; sitting: 7.5 ± 0.4 L/min; p < 0.05), and the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was significantly lower (standing: 895 ± 93 dyne · sec · m^-5; sitting: 1,041 ± 124 dyne · sec · m^-5; p < 0.05). During the MAX period, the AoP and SVR standing were significantly lower than those sitting (AoP standing: 91 ± 7 mmHg; AoP sitting: 98 ± 7 mmHg; p < 0.05; SVR standing: 652 ± 75 mmHg; SVR sitting: 730 ± 96 mmHg; p < 0.05). The Cleveland Clinic-Nimbus TAH responded well to these changes in position, increasing pump flow and maintaining the AoP during the AUTO period.