[Evaluation of the addition of counterpulsation to the partial left ventricular-femoral bypass for limitation of evolving myocardial infarction].

The effect of adding counterpulsation to a partial left ventricular bypass was evaluated in a canine model of acute myocardial ischemia by using a myocardial staining method. To establish a left ventricular bypass, a catheter consisting of bypass tube (90 cm in length and 15 Fr in inner diameter) and an accompanying intraaortic balloon as a single apparatus (Integrated Cardioassist Catheter; ICAC) was introduced into the left ventricle via the abdominal aorta. The left ventricular bypass was adjusted to 1 L/min. with or without counterpulsation with the aid of a centrifugal pump and IABP console. The use of the ICAC that provided pulsatile left ventricular bypass tended to raise the mean aortic pressure and cardiac output. Reduction of the tension time index was noted with the use of the ICAC in contrast to the control. And increment of the DPTI/TTI ratio was observed with the use of the ICAC in contrast to the control and partial left ventricular bypass alone. While the percentages of the region at risk were similar [17.3 +/- 9.5% (control), vs. 16.4 +/- 3.4% (partial left ventricular bypass alone) vs. 16.9 +/- 5.2% (ICAC)], the percentages of infarct sizes were reduced due to the use of counterpulsation. [61.9 +/- 12.2% (control), vs. 57.5 +/- 3.9% (partial left ventricular bypass alone) vs. 16.8 +/- 6.0% (ICAC)]. These results revealed that the addition of counterpulsation alleviates afterload reduction to the partial left ventricular bypass and was more beneficial to the reduction of the infarct size than partial left ventricular bypass alone.