[A case of biventricular assist with centrifugal pumps after operation of ventricular septal perforation following acute myocardial infarction].

We applied biventricular assist using centrifugal pumps on a 64-year-old male who has undergone an operation against post-myocardial infarction with ventricular septal perforation. The pump flow was maintained at the level of 2.5 l/m2 in CI, and the pulse pressure 30 to 50 mmHg with IAPB. Complete hemostasis has been achieved prior to use heparin to control the patient's ACT around 200 sec. on the third pumping day. The patient's cardiac function improved in a few days at the beginning, but did not recover enough for weaning from the assist devices. He died on the 8th pumping day, and the autopsy revealed massive old myocardial infarction which is considered to be the major obstacle against the recovery of the cardiac function. There was no edema in any organs. Centrifugal pumps are very useful for ventricular assist in availability and in economy. Its efficacy is comparable with pulsatile ventricular assist devices especially when applied with IABP though there still exists controversy as for the superiority of pulsatile flow in ventricular assist.