[The ellipsoid heart. Construction and animal experimental findings of a new kind of artificial heart].

In order to avoid thrombi generation within artificial ventricles the Ellipsoid heart is built with a one-piece membran in enddiastolic position. This allows to have an optimal washout of all inside surfaces during the cardiac cycles, in enddiastolic position the cross sectional veiw of the membran is circle-shaped. 82% of the filling volume can be used for the maximal stroke volume, which is 120 ml. The maximal cardiac output is 16 l/min. The Ellipsoid heart is evaluated as design for total heart replacement and assisted circulation. As total artificial heart the survival times were in calves experiments up to 40 days, in assisted circulation in parakorporeal position up to 83 days. The cardiac assistance with the Ellipsoid heart (E-LVAD) is performed due to implanted canula in the left ventricle via the left atrium and a connection to the ascending aorta. This technique was applied in 14 clinical cases with cardiac failure after open surgery. The E-LVAD could support the failing heart; it could be removed in 4 patients. The aim to avoid thrombiformation within artificial ventricles could be achieved with the Ellipsoid heart in calve experiments as well as clinically--the membrane was constantly clean and free of any thrombidepositions.