Ventriculocoronary Artery Bypass (VCAB™), a Novel Approach to Myocardial Revascularization

(#2000-4653 ... February 11, 2000)

Katherine S. Tweden, PhD,¹ Frazier Eales, MD,² J. Douglas Cameron, MD,¹ Jerry C. Griffin, MD,¹ Eric E. Solien, BS,¹ Mark B. Knudson, PhD¹

¹HeartStent Corporation, 7145 Boone Avenue N., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55428
²Minneapolis Heart Institute, 920 East 28th Street, Suite 440, Minneapolis, MN 55407

ABSTRACT

Background: The long-term patency rate of saphenous vein grafts for myocardial revascularization is poor (50% at 10 years). Half of the patent grafts develop severe atherosclerosis. In this paper, we report on an implantation technique and an in vivo evaluation of a device that creates a ventriculocoronary artery bypass (VCAB™), a permanent transmyocardial channel between the left ventricle and a coronary artery.

Methods: An L-shaped titanium tube with an exterior polyester cuff was implanted from the base of the left ventricle to the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery in 11 juvenile domestic pigs using a beating heart approach. Flow rates were measured at implantation. Patency was assessed when explanted at 2 weeks.

Results: The flow rate through the device after implantation was 76% of baseline. Forward flow occurred during systole. The patency rate was 91% at 2 weeks. Histologic analysis showed the formation of an organizing tissue at the coronary interface.

Conclusions: These preliminary studies show the promise of perfusing ischemic myocardium with systolic flow. Patency of the transmyocardial titanium conduit was excellent at 2 weeks and warrants longer duration studies.

AUTHOR/ARTICLE INFORMATION

Acknowledgments: Sincere thanks are extended to the people at HeartStent Corp. who assisted in surgery, data collection and analysis, and specifically to Dale Groth, Kris Hagen, Tom Odland, Sue Perron, and Guy Vanney. Joanna Wild illustrated the implant technique. The surgeries were performed at River Valley Farms (Osceola, WI) with Kate Hauer and staff.

Disclosure: Katherine S. Tweden, PhD and Eric E. Solien, BS, are employees of the HeartStent Corporation. Frazier Eales, MD, J. Douglas Cameron, MD, Jerry C. Griffin, MD, and Mark B. Knudson, PhD are consultants for the HeartStent Corporation. All of the authors have a financial interest in the HeartStent device.

VCAB™ is a trademark of HeartStent™ Corporation.

Reprint requests to: Dr. K. S. Tweden, HeartStent Corporation, 7145 Boone Avenue N., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55428, Phone: (612) 592-2580, Fax: (612) 592-2551 Email: ktweden@heartstent.com

Submitted February 11, 2000; accepted February 11, 2000