Perfusion Insider Summer 2016

Medtronic Launches Affinity™ CP Centrifugal Blood Pump in Brazil

In November, Medtronic launched the Affinity™ CP Centrifugal Blood Pump (AP40) to the Brazilian market, where it was successfully used in two cardiac surgeries at hospitals in Sao Paolo. The Affinity CP pump is a 40cc low prime centrifugal pump whose smooth cone and low-profile fins gently handle blood, resulting in low hemolysis.

Dr. Luis Roberto Dallan was the first to use the pump in Brazil during a procedure performed at the Instituto do Curacao (InCor). The second use of the pump in Brazil, performed by Dra. Magaly Arrais Dos Santos, took place at the Dante Pazzanese Instituto de Cardiology. Both cases went well and both surgeons and perfusionists were pleased.

To prepare for the cases and first product usage, Medtronic hosted an educational in-service for the surgical teams. This included a brief product presentation and a wet lab, during which participants observed how fluid moved from the CVR via the centrifugal pump head and into the  oxygenator, and how it was pumped to a reservoir that acted as a surrogate patient. Since the participants were familiar with centrifugal pumping, Medtronic also compared and contrasted the new Affinity CP pump, with its lower 40cc prime, to the older 80cc prime pump.

“We demonstrated the beauty of centrifugal pumping using pre-load and after-load changes with both devices,” said Jim Beavers, CCP, LP, Medtronic Clinical Support. “We also demonstrated how the Affinity CP pump has less prime, less surface area, higher flows, and lower RPMs. Everyone understood the pump’s gentle blood handling properties.”

The day after the in-service demonstration, the pump was used clinically in the two cases mentioned above. The perfusionists had no problem incorporating the pump into their circuits. Both cases went well, and the perfusionists liked the device. “Each perfusionist compared the AP40 to the centrifugal pump they’ve been using,” noted Beavers. “They had no trouble priming it and found it easy to use. They observed that it had more inertia with more power to give flow to the blood at lower RPM, which they understood probably translates to less hemolysis. As a result, they felt it was a safe system.

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Recognizing 40 Years of Bio-Pump and Bio-Console at CREF 2015

The CREF Annual Meeting was held in Long Beach, California, February 24 – 27, 2016. On Friday, Medtronic hosted a lunch event “40 Years of Mending Broken Hearts”, recognizing  the 40 year anniversary of the Bio-Pump and Bio-Console. Michael Cristoforo, CCP, Manager Perfusion Services, Medical College of Wisconsin and Chief Clinical Perfusionist, Froedtert Hospital , provided an engaging look at the 40 year legacy of centrifugal pumps, including the age old debate: roller vs centrifugal pump effects. The presentation referenced previous pump studies and was augmented by recent lab observations.

There was a full house in attendance for the presentation, which covered the history of the Bio-Pump from the early years, starting with the visionary co-inventors Edson Rafferty and Dr. Harold Kletschka; and featuring the story of Barbara Kletschka, Dr. Kletschka’s sister, who selflessly volunteered to be the first human clinical test of the Bio-Pump in 1975. For more information on the 40 year history, click here.

In a moving tribute, special guests Edson Rafferty and Barbara Kletschka, sister of Dr. Harold Kletschka, were recognized with a standing ovation for their contributions.

The presentation concluded with a look at key considerations of pump choice and the clinical benefits of centrifugal pumps.

In addition to the lunch program, Medtronic curated a Bio-Console Museum featuring the evolution of the Bio-Console over the past 40 years. Visitors were able to see how the various models changed over time, and reminisce about their early cases and experiences. 

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