i-cor synchronised cardiac assist preserves left ventricular function compared with continuous-flow ECLS in cardiogenic shock

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A new study indicates that the i-cor synchronised cardiac assist system (Xenios) protects left ventricular function compared with continuous-flow extracorporeal life support in cardiogenic shock. The data were presented at the American Heart Association annual meeting (7-11 November, Orlando, Florida) by principal investigator Petr Oš´ádal (Charles University, Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic).


A press release reports that in the Oš´ádal study, myocardial hypoxia resulted in a decline in mean cardiac output to 2.3±1.2 L/min, systolic blood pressure to 61±7 mmHg and left ventricular ejection fraction to 21±7%. Synchronised pulsatile flow was associated with significant reduction of left ventricular end-systolic volume, increase in left ventricular stroke volume, and higher ejection fraction at all extracorporeal life support flow levels compared to continuous extracorporeal life support flow. At selected extracorporeal life support flow levels, pulsatile flow reduced also LV end-diastolic pressure, end-diastolic volume, and systolic pressure.


Georg Matheis, managing director of Xenios, says: “The i-cor synchronised cardiac assist system enables a whole new chapter in cardiac support. With synchronised cardiac assist, the i-cor system is the world’s first to harmonize mechanical circulatory support with the heartbeat. This innovation not only opens up new therapy options for patients who are suffering from cardiogenic shock, but also serves to bridge patients across high-risk interventions in the cardiac cath lab.”


According to the press release, synchronized cardiac assist “overlays” or “superimposes” a physiological pulse wave onto the patient’s weakened pulse and is designed to be a less invasive treatment than the current standard while using a more physiological treatment designed to be essential to endothelial function, which ensures adequate tissue perfusion in the organs. Maintaining organ function serves to prevent multi-organ failure and to improve clinical outcomes. The energy of synchronized pulsatility in conjunction with the i-cor synchronized cardiac assist device allows for a reduction of invasiveness compared to standard care by reducing blood flow and thus reducing cannula size. As a result, i-cor is designed to offer physiological cardiac assist, protection, and safety during interventions in the cardiac cath lab, as well as for the management of cardiogenic shock in the ICU and the cardiac cath lab.