PulseCath (R) as a right ventricular assist device

The PulseCath (R) is a pulsatile pump that offers a circulatory support up to 3 l/min. The PulseCath (R) is indicated for patients who require a higher degree of support than that offered by the intra-aortic balloon pump. We describe the first two cases of the use of the PulseCath (R) as a temporary support for the right ventricle after insertion through the pulmonary artery trunk. Two patients developed an acute right ventricular failure with severe hemodynamic instability after cardiac surgery. The PulseCath (R) was chosen to assist the right ventricle. An immediate improvement of hemodynamic parameters was observed in both cases. In the first patient an irreversible metabolic unbalance, already present prior to PulseCath (R) insertion, led to multi-organ failure and eventually to death. In the second case the early utilization of PulseCath (R) led to a complete recovery of the right ventricle and the patient was discharged in good clinical condition. Besides the technical feasibility, this report would suggest that a correct timing is the key to success for the PulseCath (R) as a right ventricular assist device. (C) 2011 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.