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Endoglin (Eng), an accessory receptor for the transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) superfamily, is required for proper hemangioblast and primitive hematopoietic development. However the mechanism by which endoglin functions at this early developmental stage is currently unknown. Transcriptional analyses of differentiating eng(-/-) and eng(+/+) ES cells revealed that lack of endoglin leads to profound reductions in the levels of key hematopoietic regulators, including Scl, Lmo2, and Gata2. We also detected lower levels of phosphorylated Smad1 (pSmad1), a downstream target signaling molecule associated with the TGF-ß pathway. Using doxycycline-inducible ES cell lines, we interrogated the TGF-ß signaling pathway by expressing activated forms of ALK-1 and ALK-5, type I receptors for TGF-ß. Our results indicate that ALK-1 signaling promotes hemangioblast development and hematopoiesis, as evidenced by colony assays, gene expression and FACS analyses, whereas signaling by ALK-5 leads to the opposite effect, inhibition of hemangioblast and hematopoietic development. In Eng(-/-) ES cells, ALK-1 rescued both the defective hemangioblast development, and primitive erythropoiesis, indicating that ALK-1 signaling can compensate for the absence of endoglin. We propose that endoglin regulates primitive hematopoiesis by modulating the activity of the Smad1/5 signaling pathway in early stages of development.

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RATIONALE: several studies demonstrate that hematopoietic tissues are a source of endothelial progenitor cells, which contribute to newly formed blood vessels during tissue repair in adults. However, it is not clear which cell type in these hematopoietic tissues gives rise to endothelial progenitor cells. OBJECTIVE: to identity the origin of endothelial progenitors within the hematopoietic hierarchy and to assess their in vivo revascularization potential. METHODS AND RESULTS: using a single-cell sorting approach and in vitro multilineage differentiation assays, here we show that individual CD34(+)CD45(+)CD133(+)CD38(+) cells from cord blood uniquely have the ability to differentiate into T- and B-lymphoid, myeloid, and endothelial cells. The latter were characterized by the expression of VE-cadherin, KDR, von Willebrand factor, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, the lack of CD45, CD133, and c-fms (colony stimulating factor-1 receptor). Unexpectedly when transplanted into hindlimb ischemic NOD-scid IL2Rγ(null) mice, freshly isolated CD34(+)CD45(+)CD133(+)CD38(+) cells maintained their hematopoietic identity and were rarely found to integrate into host blood vessels. Nevertheless, they significantly improved perfusion, most likely through a paracrine mechanism. On the other hand, CD34(+)CD45(+)CD133(+)CD38(+) cells differentiated in vitro into endothelial cells were able to form vessels in vivo in both Matrigel plug and hindlimb ischemia transplantation assays. CONCLUSIONS: these findings indicate that the CD34(+)CD45(+)CD133(+)CD38(+) cell fraction contains a common progenitor for the hematopoietic and vascular lineages and may represent a valuable cell source for therapeutic applications.

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Zirconia is a ceramic with material properties ideal for journal bearing applications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of zirconium oxide (zirconia) as a blood journal bearing material in the DexAide right ventricular assist device. Zirconia ceramic was used instead of titanium to manufacture the DexAide stator housing without changing the stator geometry or the remaining pump hardware components. Pump hydraulic performance, journal bearing reliability, biocompatibility, and motor efficiency data of the zirconia stator were evaluated in six chronic bovine experiments for 14-91 days and compared with data from chronic experiments using the titanium stator. Pump performance data including average in vivo pump flows and speeds using a zirconia stator showed no statistically significant difference to the average values for 16 prior titanium stator in vivo studies, with the exception of a 19% reduction in power consumption. Indices of hemolysis were comparable for both stator types. Results of coagulation assays and platelet aggregation tests for the zirconia stator implants showed no device-induced increase in platelet activation. Postexplant evaluation of the zirconia journal bearing surfaces showed no biologic deposition in any of the implants. In conclusion, zirconia ceramic can be used as a hemocompatible material to improve motor efficiency while maintaining hydraulic performance in a blood journal bearing application.

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INTRODUCTION: Heart failure remains a major cause of mortality in the United States, despite advancing technologies, newer methods of treatment, and novel devices. To evaluate such novel devices, a large-animal model of chronic heart failure is critical in carrying out preclinical animal studies. METHODS: We evaluated the efficacy of oral monensin in inducing stable heart failure in five Jersey calves. Various doses of monensin were administered. Hemodynamics, pressure-volume loops, echocardiographic measurements, extent of tissue perfusion, and histopathologic data were recorded before and after induction of heart failure. RESULTS: Responses were variable in the animals. One experiment showed a significant decrease in cardiac output within one week, associated with simultaneous increases in left atrial pressure, central venous pressure, and mean pulmonary artery pressure. Left ventricular pressure-volume loops showed that the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation decreased markedly between the baseline and terminal study, suggesting a decrease in contractility. Echocardiographic studies indicated a decrease in ejection fraction. Histopathologic analysis in cardiac tissue showed extensive fibrosis and necrosis. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the feasibility of inducing and maintaining severe yet stable heart failure for up to 3 weeks in a calf model by administration of oral monensin.

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BACKGROUND: Allograft rejection remains the nemesis of solid organ transplantation. Soul Mate is a novel implantable wireless data transmission system that analyzes 9 intramyocardial electrogram parameters recorded from 4 or 6 configurations of 2 or 3 epicardial leads to detect allograft rejection. This study determined the ability of the Soul Mate to detect early rejection of transplanted hearts. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five dogs underwent heterotopic cervical heart transplantation and simultaneous implantation of the Soul Mate's Cardiac Rejection Monitoring Device. Dogs were initially immunosuppressed, but subsequent drug discontinuation allowed allograft rejection to appear. Allograft biopsies were performed at regular intervals to determine rejection grade, which was compared to a calculated rejection score determined as percent change from baseline of values for each intramyocardial electrogram. There was significant correlation between the biopsy results and the evolution of 5 parameters. The strongest correlation (r=0.939; P<0.001) was obtained using the "general median" parameter from 4 configurations, assessed 1 day before the biopsy, with a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 100% compared to the myocardial biopsy results. CONCLUSIONS: The Soul Mate allograft rejection monitoring system accurately detected transplanted heart rejection in a canine model noninvasively with continuous sampling. This proof-of-concept study suggests that the Soul Mate could be used to more intensely and more frequently monitor cardiac allografts for rejection.

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Lateral thoracotomy is the traditional surgical approach for preclinical animal testing of various ventricular assist devices. Median sternotomy, however, is regarded from a functional standpoint as the most appropriate approach for cardiac surgical procedures, particularly for device implantation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of performing a median sternotomy in chronic bovine studies. Three chronic studies using the sternotomy approach were performed. Surgical access was compared to the lateral thoracotomy approach used in three other animal experiments. Postoperative speed of recovery, pain management, sternotomy incision, and monitoring line exit site healing and infection were also evaluated. With sternotomy, better surgical access to all cardiac chambers and great vessels and more room for device placement were achieved. The recovery time was similar to that using the lateral thoracotomy approach, with no additional difficulties observed in standing or recumbency and no need for increased pain management. At the time of autopsy, the sternum was well healed without any sign of infection. In conclusion, these studies showed that a median sternotomy can be used successfully for chronic bovine studies. This approach will be used for our future biventricular assist device implantation surgeries.

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The DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD) is a magnetically and hydrodynamically levitated implantable centrifugal pump. Recent progress includes 1) redesign of the inflow/outflow conduits, which yielded two successful 3-month experiments, 2) development of alternative journal bearing materials, and 3) completion of an 18-month duration of in vitro endurance testing. Verification testing of the RVAD electronics has been completed, and a prototype biventricular assist device (BVAD) system has been tested. Acute DexAide/CorAide BVAD implantations via median sternotomy in two calves documented BVAD control algorithms and anatomical fit. A drug-induced chronic calf heart failure model, currently under development in our laboratory, resulted in a successful BVAD implantation in a calf with heart failure. Our future plans are to complete in vitro and in vivo validation of alternative bearing materials, perform preclinical DexAide in vivo and in vitro reliability studies, and obtain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an Investigational Device Exemption to conduct a clinical pilot study. In conclusion, two successful 3 month in vivo experiments and an 18-month in vitro endurance test were completed. After final bearing material selection, the DexAide design will be "frozen" so that preclinical systems can be manufactured. BVAD experiments using a chronic heart failure model are in progress.

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OBJECTIVE: Occlusion of the left atrial appendage is proposed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The third-generation atrial exclusion device, modified to provide uniform distribution of pressure at appendage exclusion, was assessed for safety and effectiveness in a canine model and compared with a surgical stapler. METHODS: The atrial exclusion device consists of 2 parallel, straight, rigid titanium tubes and 2 nitinol springs with a knit-braided polyester fabric. Fourteen mongrel dogs were implanted with the device at the base of the left atrial appendage via a median sternotomy. In each dog, the right atrial appendage was stapled with a commercial apparatus for comparison. The animals were evaluated at 7 days (n = 3), 30 days (n = 5), and 90 days (n = 6) after implantation by epicardial echocardiography, left atrial and coronary angiography, gross pathology, and histology. RESULTS: Left atrial appendage exclusion was complete and achieved without hemodynamic instability, and coronary angiography revealed that the left circumflex artery was patent in all cases. A new endothelial tissue layer developed on the occluded orifice of the left atrium 90 days after implantation. This endothelial layer was not evident on the stapled right atrial appendage. CONCLUSION: In dogs, the third-generation atrial exclusion device achieved easy, reliable, and safe exclusion of the left atrial appendage with favorable histologic results. Clinical application could provide a new therapeutic option for reducing the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

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An implantable biventricular assist device offers a considerable opportunity to save the lives of patients with combined irreversible right and left ventricular failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic and physiologic performance of the combined implantation of the CorAide left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and the DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD). Acute hemodynamic responses were evaluated after simulating seven different physiological conditions in two calves. Evaluation was performed by fixing the speed of one individual pump and increasing the speed of the other. Under all conditions, increased LVAD or RVAD speed resulted in increased pump flow. The predominant pathophysiologic effect of independently varying DexAide and CorAide pump speeds was that the left atrial pressure was very sensitive to increasing RVAD speed above 2,400 rpm, whereas the right atrial pressure demonstrated much less sensitivity to increasing LVAD speed. An increase in aortic pressure and RVAD flow was observed while increasing LVAD speed, especially under low contractility, ventricular fibrillation, high pulmonary artery pressure, and low circulatory blood volume conditions. In conclusion, a proper RVAD-LVAD balance should be maintained by avoiding RVAD overdrive. Additional studies will further investigate the performance of these pumps in chronic animal models.

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Cannula design and cannulation site can pose major limitations to chronic pump implantations in animal studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of various inflow cannula designs for the DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD). The DexAide RVAD was implanted for intended durations of 14, 30, or 90 days in 19 animals (mean 20 +/- 11 days). Seven inflow cannula designs were evaluated: angled titanium conduit with caged tip (two cases); flexible polyurethane coated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube (one case); open ended titanium (one case); a titanium cannula with a flange (six cases); a cannula with a gelatin coated flange (five cases); a cannula with an angled flange (one case); and open ended titanium with two side holes (three cases). The open ended titanium inflow cannula with two side holes positioned through the diaphragmatic surface of the right ventricle (RV) via a right thoracotomy showed good biocompatibility for the chronic animal study. Other cannulae inserted into the infundibular portion of the RV via a left thoracotomy showed significant depositions. Gelatin coated inflow cannula had the advantage to prevent tissue growth around the inflow cannula. The DexAide RVAD pump itself showed good biocompatibility, although nonadherent depositions originating from the inflow cannulae were captured onto the primary impeller blades.

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The PediPump is a small ventricular assist device (VAD) with a hydraulic output range designed to support children from newborns to adolescents. The present report describes our initial evaluation of the PediPump as a left VAD in an acute sheep model. The PediPump was implanted in two sheep (50.8 and 62.7 kg). Pump speed was adjusted to achieve a flow of 2 L/min with the naturally occurring preload and afterload conditions to evaluate pump performance under a steady hemodynamic state for 4 hours. Upon completion, pump performance was evaluated under various blood pressure and heart rate conditions. During steady-state evaluations, the ascending aortic flow and pump speed varied slightly depending on systemic arterial pressure variations. During the hemodynamic manipulation studies, flows ranged between 0.5 and 3.2 L/min with pump speeds of 5,200-16,200 rpm and motor current of 0.06-0.75 A. The PediPump demonstrated good initial hemodynamic performance for use as an implantable left VAD. However, some depositions were detected at the time of explanation, mainly at the rear of the pump. We are continuing with further acute studies to evaluate pump performance in anticipation of beginning chronic studies to evaluate long-term biocompatibility.

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