Feasibility Study of Particulate Extracellular Matrix (P-ECM) and Left Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) Therapy in Chronic Ischemic Heart Failure Bovine Model

Myocardial recovery with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support is uncommon and unpredictable. We tested the hypothesis that injectable particulate extracellular matrix (P-ECM) with LVAD support promotes cell proliferation and improves cardiac function. LVAD, P-ECM, and P-ECM + LVAD therapies were investigated in chronic ischemic heart failure (IHF) calves induced using coronary embolization. Particulate extracellular matrix emulsion (CorMatrix, Roswell, GA) was injected intramyocardially using a 7 needle pneumatic delivery tool. Left ventricular assist devices (HVAD, HeartWare) were implanted in a left ventricle (LV) apex to proximal descending aorta configuration. Cell proliferation was identified using BrdU (5 mg/kg) injections over the last 45 treatment days. Echocardiography was performed weekly. End-organ regional blood flow (RBF) was quantified at study endpoints using fluorescently labeled microspheres. Before treatment, IHF calves had an ejection fraction (EF) of 33 ± 2% and left ventricular end-diastolic volume of 214 ± 18 ml with cardiac cachexia (0.69 ± 0.06 kg/day). Healthy weight gain was restored in all groups (0.89 ± 0.03 kg/day). EF increased with P-ECM + HVAD from 36 ± 5% to 75 ± 2%, HVAD 38 ± 4% to 58 ± 5%, and P-ECM 27 ± 1% to 66 ± 6%. P-ECM + HVAD demonstrated the largest increase in cell proliferation and end-organ RBF. This study demonstrates the feasibility of combined LVAD support with P-ECM injection to stimulate new cell proliferation and improve cardiac function, which warrants further investigation.