Chronic left ventricular assist in calves with a pulsatile impeller pump.

The author's impeller pump was further evaluated as a left ventricular assist device in calves. The longest survival was achieved in the last three calves for more than 6 weeks (62, 54, 46 days, respectively). The hemochemical measurements showed that no blood damage and no organ dysfunction occurred during the experiments. Termination of the experiments was because of bearing failure without exception. Therefore, a magnetic bearing was investigated and intended for use in the impeller pump.