The pump can continually monitor the left ventricle, which allows for perpetual observation of the hearts condition.
[1] The Hemopump Cardiac Assist System is an older design intra-arterial, axial-flow pump circulatory assist device concept that offers temporary left ventricular support to patients in refractory cardiogenic shock without requiring major surgery for insertion.
Running the pump at maximum capacity can be dangerous as it has led to complete collapse of the left ventricle in animal trials.
The Hemopump was deemed safe for use in community hospitals and it was expected that the number of patients supported by this device would increase.
The pump is inserted through the femoral artery, and then moved up until the tip of the cannula passes over the aortic valve.
The pump can continually monitor the left ventricle, which allows for perpetual observation the hearts condition.
[4] The pump was first used on 25 April 1988 in a 61 years old man, a recent heart transplant recipient who was in the midst of a profound acute episode of rejection and cardiogenic shock.
The pump successfully sustained him for 46 hours while there had been sufficient recovery of myocardial contractility to redraw the Hemopump support.