[Treatment of acute cardiac insufficiency by left-ventricle bypass in cardiosurgical patients].

Severe cardiac insufficiency resistant to drug therapy developed in the immediate post-perfusion period in 1.5-2% of cardiosurgical patients who underwent operation in the recent 8 years. In view of this, such a method of mechanical sustenance of the weakened heart as left-ventricular bypass (LVB) was suggested. LVB lasting 5.7 hours on average, was carried out in 56 patients in the immediate postperfusion period in adequately corrected heart valvular disease. It was shown that by unloading the left ventricle by means of a roller pump the average arterial pressure can be raised, the average left-ventricular pressure lowered, and the dose of the administered cardiotonics reduced. All this contributes to the restoration of the patient's own adequate circulation. Owing to LVB, cardiac activity was restored in 56% of patients, 41% of patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital. The results bear evidence that LVB is an effective method for sustenance of circulation in cardiosurgical patients.