CIMS balloon pump : A Novel Left Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD)

Abstract

In the UK, death from heart failure (HF) is at 24,000 in 2001, while new cases of HF is estimated to be at 63,500 every year. The probability of death within one year of diagnosis is 40%, if untreated (1). Heart failure treatment varies from lifestyle change, pharmacological treatment or surgical intervention. For advanced stages HF patients, heart transplant is the gold standard treatment. However, since donors are scarce resulting only 3000 operation/year worldwide, the next best treatment is mechanical heart assist device. The aim of this study is to develop mechanical heart assist device specifically for left ventricle i.e. left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system that is able to restore heart health by reverse remodelling (self healing process). It is hypothesized reverse remodelling can be achieved by decreasing load faced by heart and increasing coronary perfusion.