Bio-medicus ventricular assistance.

n this issue, Killen and associates [l] have presented an I excellent and extensive review of their experience using the Bio-Medicus centrifugal pump for ventricular assistance in 41 postcardiotomy patients. Others have also reported their use of Bio-Medicus ventricular assistance, demonstrating its role in the treatment of these patients with ventricular dysfunction [2-51. A variety of cardiac assist devices are available to choose from to support patients with ventricular dysfunction. These include the intraaortic balloon pump for counterpulsation, roller pump, centrifugal pumps (BioMedicus, Sarns, and St. Jude), Hemopump, Novacor, Pierce-Donachy, Abiomed, Thermedics, and, until recently, the Symbion ventricular assist device and total artificial heart. The intraaortic balloon, roller pump, and centrifugal pumps, however, are the only ones available for general use. The other devices are still under investigation and their use is limited to the approved centers participating in their study. The Bio-Medicus centrifugal pump is the present choice at Baylor College of Medicine for ventricular assistance in postcardiotomy patients who require support in addition to inotropes and the intraaortic balloon pump. Through 1990 we have used the Bio-Medicus device for ventricular