UC Davis Health cardiology team is one of the first in nation to use novel pVAD system
By NAREN KRISHNA JEGAN — science@theaggie.org
The circulatory system relies on blood vessels to carry deoxygenated and oxygenated blood to and from the heart, respectively. When vessels are blocked as a result of plaque/cholesterol buildup, this can cause changes in blood flow which may lead to serious cardiovascular conditions.
For patients with severe blockages or complex cardiovascular conditions, restoring blood flow often requires procedures like angioplasty or stent placement. These procedures insert and inflate balloon catheters to the site of plaque buildup to allow for enhanced blood flow. For individuals with hearts that are too weak to pump blood and allow for consistent flow, the heart may struggle to maintain circulation during these procedures, increasing the risk of complications.
This is especially true for patients with weakened heart muscles, severe coronary artery disease or conditions like cardiogenic shock. In such cases, a percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) is used to temporarily assist the heart.
A pVAD is a mechanical device inserted through the skin (percutaneously) into the heart via a catheter. It temporarily supports the heart by maintaining blood flow and reducing the workload on the heart during high-risk cardiac interventions. The pVAD ensures that vital organs continue receiving oxygen-rich blood while doctors perform life-saving procedures, such as clearing blockages or placing stents.
The Supira pVAD System, recently introduced at UC Davis Health, offers a novel design. Its low-profile size makes it less invasive, reducing the risk of vascular complications associated with larger devices.
UC Davis Health’s Dr. Tai Pham shared the rationale behind a low-profile approach in comparison to bulkier, heavier devices.
“Achieving high flow rates has typically required larger devices, which can be challenging from both an access and positioning perspective,” Pham said. “The combination of a low-profile and high-flow system is extremely attractive as we look to address the risks of vascular complications associated with currently available devices.”
The pVAD system’s small, versatile manner using real-time sensors in the device allows for monitoring of aortic and ventricular pressures, enabling precise adjustments and better patient outcomes.
Certain individuals, such as those with severe coronary artery diseases or comorbidities, are often at high risk for select procedures because of the heart’s inability to pump blood. The pVAD system allows healthcare providers to now operate on such patients in more complex procedures, expanding the patient base to provide personalized care for a more diverse patient population.
Currently, UC Davis Health is one of four sites nationwide with access to the Supira pVAD system for early investigational access; In the western United States, it is the first hospital to acquire such technology. Results from UC Davis Health’s early feasibility study using the Supira pVAD system will be a part of the submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a pivotal investigational device exemption study, where it will undergo further testing before being used across clinics over the country.
UC Davis Health’s Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine Dr. Thomas Smith highlighted the potential benefits of this novel system.
“Being one of the first centers in the country to offer this novel system is a testament to our outstanding team-based approach to patient care,” Smith said. “The cardiovascular research team is among the best and most comprehensive in the nation. Our mission of providing complete, efficient and high-quality care to the patients we care for is what drives us to lead the field.”
