Use of cardiac assist device to improve kidney function
Systems and methods for improving kidney function. A first mechanical circulatory support system (MCS) is introduced in a patient's heart, and a second mechanical circulatory support system is introduced in a patient's inferior vena cava or renal vein. The second mechanical circulatory support system is operated while the first mechanical circulatory support system is operating. A renal parameter is monitored during. Combined operation of the two mechanical circulatory support systems results in a change in renal parameter, e.g. pressure drop in the renal vein, indicating an improvement in kidney function. Once the renal parameter is determined to be below a target threshold, operation of the second mechanical circulatory support device is stopped.
1. A method for improving kidney function in a patient, comprising the steps of:
inserting a first blood pump into a heart of a patient;
operating the first blood pump;
inserting a second blood pump into an inferior vena cava of the patient;
operating the second blood pump and the first blood pump such that while the second blood pump is operating, the first blood pump is also operating;
monitoring a renal parameter; and
ending operation of the second blood pump when the renal parameter has reached a target level.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the renal parameter is creatinine level or ANP concentration in blood.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target level for the renal parameter is a function of aortic pressure.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the renal parameter is renal vein pressure.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the target level for the renal vein pressure is less than 15 mmHg.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the renal parameter is a pressure drop across a kidney of the patient.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the renal parameter is determined by:
measuring arterial pressure;
measuring venous pressure; and
calculating a pressure difference between the measured arterial pressure and the measured venous pressure.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
determining if the calculated pressure difference has reached a threshold value.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first blood pump is in communication with a first controller and the second blood pump is in communication with a second controller.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first controller and the second controller communicate to determine the pressure difference between the measured arterial pressure and the measured venous pressure.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first blood pump is inserted into a ventricle of the heart of the patient.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first blood pump comprises:
a pump motor;
a pump housing distal of the pump motor, the pump housing surrounding a rotor;
and a cannula extending distal of the pump housing; and
an atraumatic extension extending distally from the cannula.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second blood pump comprises:
a pump motor;
a pump housing distal of the pump motor, the pump housing surrounding a rotor; and
a cannula extending distal of the pump housing.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second blood pump further comprises an atraumatic extension extending distally from the cannula.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second blood pump is positioned inside the inferior vena cava of the patient such that a distal tip of the atraumatic extension of the second blood pump extends to a location adjacent to an outlet of a renal vein of the patient.