Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for post-cardiotomy heart failure in neonates and infants still carries high mortality and morbidity rates. In this study we present the first European clinical experience with the Medos DeltaStream DP1, a new pulsatile flow pump, in neonates and infants.
Methods: The DP1 is an extracorporeal rotary blood pump. The pump features a diagonal flow impeller, and can be used for both continuous and pulsatile output. Special characteristics include its small priming volume of approximately 30 ml and a high pumping capacity. A temperature sensor and speed sensors are integrated into the pump. The pump has a delivery rate of up to 8 liters/min and a speed range of 100 to 10,000 rpm.
Results: Two patients being assisted with the pulsatile pump system were successfully weaned after 36 and 53 hours, respectively.
Conclusions: Based on our limited experience with 2 patients, we believe that pulsatile DP1 device is a reasonable alternative to current conventional non-pulsatile systems.