Implantation of a transapical ventricular assist device and kit for same

1. A method of implanting a blood pump in a heart of a mammalian subject comprising:

maintaining a temporary plug in an inlet opening of a pump having a pump body and an outlet cannula projecting from the pump body;

advancing the pump into a ventricle of the heart through a hole in a wall of the heart so that the inlet of the pump is disposed within the ventricle and the outlet cannula extends through a valve of the heart into an artery; and

withdrawing the temporary plug from the inlet of the pump.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising mounting a ring to the wall of the heart and forming the hole in the wall of the heart within the ring, and wherein the step of advancing the pump includes advancing a pedestal mechanically connected to the pump into the hole and into the ring, and securing the pedestal to the ring.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the temporary plug is mounted on an elongated catheter and the catheter extends through a channel in the pedestal when the pump is advanced into the ventricle, and the step of withdrawing the temporary plug includes withdrawing the catheter and the plug through the channel in the pedestal and then closing the channel.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of maintaining the temporary plug includes maintaining the temporary plug in an expanded condition, and the step of removing the plug includes collapsing the plug.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein:

the plug includes a balloon,

the step of maintaining the temporary plug in an expanded condition includes maintaining the balloon in an inflated condition, and

the step of collapsing the temporary plug includes deflating the balloon.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising purging the pump and the outlet cannula of air by allowing air to escape from the pump and the outlet cannula through the catheter while the outlet cannula is at least partially positioned within the heart or artery.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring pressure in the heart or artery using a pressure measurement instrument communicating with the interior of the pump through the catheter.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ventricle is the left ventricle and the valve is the aortic valve.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps of the method are performed without cardiopulmonary bypass or cardioplegia.