Mechanical Assistance for the Fontan Circulation Using an Intravascular Axial Flow Blood Pump

Research indicates that an afterload reducing agent improves ventricular-vascular interactions and Fontan hemodynamics [1]. Few such therapeutic alternatives exist for the failing Fontan patient beyond conventional pharmacologic therapy. To address this need for therapeutic options, we are developing an intravascular, magnetically levitated axial flow blood pump to support the total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) of a failing Fontan in adolescent and adult patients [1,2]. Our pump is designed to provide mechanical pressure augmentation of blood flow from the inferior vena cava (IVC) to the lungs, thus improving systemic venous pressure and increasing ventricular filling.