On 12 October surgeons implanted an artificial heart as permanent circulatory assistance.

– is indicated for people with refractory heart failure not candidates for transplantation

– This is the first patient in Spain that receives the discharge with a ultimate continuous flow device

– in 1996 the hospital pioneered by placing a device implantable left ventricular assistance

Spain, 2011-August the team of specialists of surgery Cardiaca in the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Madrid service has been implemented with successful permanent artificial heart – unlike other temporary systems which are removed when a transplant. The presentation of this intervention has attended the Health Minister, Javier Fernández – Lasquetty.

Specifically, it’s a permanent continuous flow left ventricular assist device, placed a patient from 67 years of age for the first time in Spain has been discharged from hospital just a month after the intervention. This time is considered very low for such devices, according to underline the surgeons.

With this project, hospital 12 October takes a step in its commitment to excellence, both in assisting patients in teaching and research, slopes which places their health professionals in the focus of the health innovation world ”, assured Fernández-Lasquetty.

the patient suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy – the muscle of the heart was not able to effectively – contract, due to a prior heart attack and not was heart transplant candidate to present simultaneously nonreversible renal failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD-moderate. Comply correctly with pharmacotherapy to maximum, their functional situation before intervention was limit, with a minimum capacity to carry out efforts and recurring revenues by heart failure requiring intravenous medication to normalize their clinical situation.

After the intervention he stayed four days in care Postoperatorios of cardiac surgery – UCP – unit and was later transferred to the plant of hospitalization of Cardiology, where he began the mobilization, rehabilitation and learning the operation of the device to be registered within 30 days of the implant. Currently, it presents a very satisfactory general condition and has resumed its activity daily with a weekly medical supervision during the first and second month, and monthly thereafter.

To ensure the success of the process, this health center cardiology and cardiac surgery services specialists have participated for more than three years in theoretical and practical training plans and the development of a joint programme of permanent circulatory assistance.

Details of the device

The medical team decided to implement a ventricular assist device based on clinical criteria, to present the patient a plight hemodynamics with all medical treatments and exhausted support. Such systems may be indicated on a temporary basis, until the recovery hemodynamics and myocardial and as a bridge to heart transplantation, or definitively not transplantable as this is where.

The device used in the October 12 consists of an axial-flow pump driven way electromagnetic and composed a motor-bomba, cannula entry and exit, and a control unit. This pump boosts the blood from the apex of the left ventricle – the tip of the heart – to the aorta. The turbine that contains rotates at a speed of between 6,000 and 15,000 revolutions per minute and can provide 8 to 10 gallons of flow per minute.

The device is located within the patient and just a cable crossing the skin to connect it with the control unit, which works through the mains power or two batteries allowing approximately 12 hours autonomy. Once implanted not precise calibrations or subsequent technical adjustments.

More than 6,500 patients of United States and Europe – none in Spain far – have benefited from this system with a few clinical results higher on other devices, since that reduces the risk of infections, thrombosis and hemolysis – rupture of red blood cells or red blood cells.

Equipment pioneer

On August 11, 1996 the team of cardiac surgeons from the Hospital on October 12 also pioneered Spain to install an autonomous artificial heart in a 66-year-old patient. Diagnosed with a terminal heart failure, it presented a major problem of rejection in his immune system which made it virtually impossible for admission to the heart transplant waiting list.

In that speech was used an electromechanical apparatus of a kilo of weight and size of 15 x 10 cm remained with the deteriorated heart to improve it with a view to a subsequent transplant, pushing the blood from the heart muscle to aortic artery.

Since 1991, year in which began to place devices of ventricular assist in various clinical indications, this Madrid hospital has implemented a total of 95 aircraft of various technologies, a very high figure if one takes into account the limited experience in this type of surgical intervention to level national.