HEMolysis in a Percutaneous Axial Flow LVAD, Effects of Pentoxifylline in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

Temporary mechanical circulatory support devices are increasingly used for short-term support in patients with decompensated cardiogenic shock. Recently, a new axial flow pump has become widely available with the Impella System. The Impella has been FDA approved for short term usage. Hemolysis, however, has been a common complication that has increased morbidity and mortality in this patient population. It is hypothesized that a major source of hemolysis in this patient population is shear stress experienced by red blood cells (RBC) as they travel through the pump device. In addition to causing RBC loss and potential anemia, the hemolysis has multiple other downstream consequences including creation of a pro-thrombotic environment leading to clot formation and potential device failure and secondary end organ dysfunction (renal and liver failure). Due to the significant effects of hemolysis in this population, a great deal of interest has been recently focused on addressing this problem, but as of yet no durable solutions exist. Pentoxifylline improves red blood cell deformability and reduces blood viscosity. It is hypothesized here that administering Pentoxifylline to patients in CS who require temporary MCS will decrease the amount of shear stress related hemolysis through the improved deformability and durability of RBCs. We propose to perform a double-blinded randomized controlled trial in patients who undergo an axillary Impella 5.0 insertion for acute decompensated heart failure. There will be a control group who receives a placebo and the treatment group who receives pentoxifylline. Labs will be drawn to monitor hemolysis which is our current standard protocol for the life of the device to determine the efficacy of pentoxifylline in decreasing hemolysis in this patient population.

Timeline

Start

2020-06-01

Primary completion

2022-06-01

Completion

2022-06-01

Publications

• Background Lima B, Kale P, Gonzalez-Stawinski GV, Kuiper JJ, Carey S, Hall SA. Effectiveness and Safety of the Impella 5.0 as a Bridge to Cardiac Transplantation or Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device. Am J Cardiol. 2016 May 15;117(10):1622-1628. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2016.02.038. Epub 2016 Mar 4.
• Background Katz JN, Jensen BC, Chang PP, Myers SL, Pagani FD, Kirklin JK. A multicenter analysis of clinical hemolysis in patients supported with durable, long-term left ventricular assist device therapy. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2015 May;34(5):701-9. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2014.10.002. Epub 2014 Nov 4.
• Background Badiye AP, Hernandez GA, Novoa I, Chaparro SV. Incidence of Hemolysis in Patients with Cardiogenic Shock Treated with Impella Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Device. ASAIO J. 2016 Jan-Feb;62(1):11-4. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000000290.
• Background Ravichandran AK, Parker J, Novak E, Joseph SM, Schilling JD, Ewald GA, Silvestry S. Hemolysis in left ventricular assist device: a retrospective analysis of outcomes. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2014 Jan;33(1):44-50. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2013.08.019. Epub 2013 Nov 14.
• Background Nielsen VG, Pearson EC, Smith MC. Increased carbon monoxide production by hemeoxygenase-1 caused by device-mediated hemolysis: thrombotic phantom menace? Artif Organs. 2013 Nov;37(11):1008-14. doi: 10.1111/aor.12122. Epub 2013 Jul 19.
• Background Jennings DL, Williams CT, Morgan JA. Pentoxifylline for the treatment of hemolytic anemia in a patient who developed recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding while on continuous-flow left ventricular assist device support. ASAIO J. 2013 Sep-Oct;59(5):526-7. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0b013e31829f0eb1.
• Background Polonini HC, Silva SL, de Almeida TR, Brandao MAF, Ferreira AO. Compatibility of caffeine, carvedilol, clomipramine hydrochloride, folic acid, hydrochlorothiazide, loperamide hydrochloride, methotrexate, nadolol, naltrexone hydrochloride and pentoxifylline in SyrSpend SF PH4 oral suspensions. Eur J Hosp Pharm. 2016 Nov;23(6):352-358. doi: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2016-000903. Epub 2016 Mar 24.
• Background Bansal A, Bhama JK, Patel R, Desai S, Mandras SA, Patel H, Collins T, Reilly JP, Ventura HO, Parrino PE. Using the Minimally Invasive Impella 5.0 via the Right Subclavian Artery Cutdown for Acute on Chronic Decompensated Heart Failure as a Bridge to Decision. Ochsner J. 2016 Fall;16(3):210-6.

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