Muscle-inspired cardiac assist device addressing the donor heart shortage and improving end-stage heart failure treatment.
Risks in ventricular assist devices
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in NSW, claiming the life of one Australian every 12 minutes. Ventricular assist devices are commonly used to mechanically support a failing heart. They work either as a bridge to transplantation or as a long-term “destination therapy,” with the device remaining permanently implanted. Current ventricular assist devices involve the placement of cannulas in = the heart and the great vessels. The devices then remove blood from the heart and pump it into the aorta or the pulmonary artery. Despite advancements, these devices require extensive anticoagulation therapy, to prevent blood clotting. This therapy can result in severe complications, including fatal brain or gastrointestinal bleeding and the formation of blood clots that can lead to stroke. While successive ventricular assist device generations have reduced risk of blood clots by changing features such as the materials they are made of, the fundamental issue of blood contact with artificial surfaces remains unresolved.
Avoiding blood contact with ventricular assist devices
This project aims to develop a ventricular assist device to help maintain heart function, serving as a bridge to transplant for patients with heart failure, reducing mortality rates. The device will utilise a soft robotic sleeve implanted around the heart to actively compress and twist, mimicking natural cardiac motion. Unlike traditional ventricular assist devices, the proposed sleeve will avoid direct blood contact, potentially eliminating the need for anticoagulation therapy or blood thinners and significantly reducing risks of blood clotting and infection.