Interim use of Jarvik-7 and Novacor artificial heart: blood rheology and transient ischemic attacks (TIA's)

The rheological properties of blood were studied in patients supported by both the Jarvik-7 total artificial heart (TAH) and Novacor left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. Both groups of patients had abnormalities in blood rheology which differed according to the type of device implanted as well as on the clinical state of the patient. The rheology of individual patients correlated well with their clinical status and outcome, with incidences of TIA's and/or stroke being accompanied by marked increases in relative blood viscosity, erythrocyte rigidity, fibrinogen concentration and platelet aggregation in varying combination. Observed abnormalities in blood rheology were also crucial to thrombus formation on artificial heart valves as well. Our results show that the therapeutic management of rheological parameters should prove to be a unique and clinically rewarding approach to these patients.