How Can Implantable Devices Like The TandemHeart Pump Support Blood Circulation During High-Risk Heart Procedures?

Implantable devices like the TandemHeart pump play a crucial role in supporting blood circulation during high-risk heart procedures, particularly for patients with severe heart conditions who are at risk of heart failure or hemodynamic instability. The TandemHeart pump is a percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) designed to temporarily take over the heart's pumping function, ensuring that vital organs receive an adequate supply of oxygenated blood during complex interventions.

How the TandemHeart Pump Works

The TandemHeart pump is inserted through a catheter via the femoral vein in the groin, with its inflow cannula positioned in the left atrium of the heart. The blood is then drawn out of the left atrium and pumped into a centrifugal pump located outside the body. From there, the blood is returned to the patient's arterial system through an outflow cannula placed in the femoral artery. This setup enables the pump to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body, effectively bypassing the weakened heart's function.

The TandemHeart pump can provide up to 5 liters of blood per minute, mimicking the heart's natural output and ensuring adequate blood flow to vital organs. This level of circulatory support is particularly beneficial during high-risk heart surgeries, such as percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), where the heart may be temporarily compromised.

Supporting Blood Circulation During High-Risk Procedures

During high-risk heart procedures, especially in patients with severe coronary artery disease, Valve replacements, cardiogenic shock, or left ventricular dysfunction, maintaining stable blood circulation is essential. The TandemHeart pump offers mechanical circulatory support, which helps to stabilise the patient's hemodynamic status. This support allows the heart to rest and recover while ensuring that blood flow to essential organs like the brain, kidneys, and liver remains uninterrupted.

By taking over part of the heart's workload, the TandemHeart pump reduces the strain on the heart muscle, preventing further damage during procedures such as angioplasty, stenting, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). It also minimises the risk of complications associated with low blood flow, such as organ failure or heart attack, which can occur if the heart's pumping ability is compromised during these interventions.

Advantages of the TandemHeart Pump

One of the key advantages of the TandemHeart pump is its ability to be rapidly deployed in emergency situations or planned procedures, offering immediate circulatory support. Unlike other implantable devices, it can be placed without open-heart surgery, making it a less invasive option with a quicker recovery time. Additionally, the pump's high flow rate and efficient support make it ideal for patients undergoing complex interventions who may be at significant risk of hemodynamic instability.

The TandemHeart pump is a valuable tool for supporting blood circulation during high-risk heart procedures, providing temporary mechanical assistance to maintain adequate blood flow. By reducing the heart's workload and stabilising hemodynamics, it enables safer and more effective interventions for patients with severe heart conditions, ultimately improving their chances of a successful outcome.

Dr Gulshan Rohra

Guest Author Consultant Cardio-thoracic Surgeon Wokhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central