Assessment of a new technology for surface modification of the bearing unit of a domestically produced mechanical circulatory support device

Background: This study investigated the efficacy of surface modification for blood-contacting friction pairs in a domestically produced axial pump of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) by applying a hydrocarbon coating doped with silicon and oxygen (a-C:H:SiOx). The LVAD represents a part of the medical product “Universal Complex for Mechanical Support of the Left and Right Ventricular Pump Function 'STREAM CARDIO'”. Objective: This study was aimed to in vivo experimental assessment of endurance and hemocompatibility of the domestically produced axial pump “STREAM CARDIO” with applied a-C:H:SiOx coating. Methods: The coating was applied using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. A series of subacute experiments on pigs (n = 3) lasting up to 5 days were conducted to assess pump performance and hemostasis parameters. Results: The experiments demonstrated stable device operation with a flow rate of 4.5 [4.0; 5.0] L/min at 7222 [6900; 7500] rpm. No significant increase in power consumption of left ventricular assist device and thrombus formation was revealed. Conclusion: The tested coating has demonstrated high endurance and hemocompatibility in experiments.