Our tutorial video linked below provides a thorough instruction for priming and operating your Working Heart system in various modes.
The instructions below will also guide you through the steps required:
Priming
- Fill atrial bubble trap and cannula by closing both ports on the bubble trap while the atrial cannula is open, then close the atrial cannula and open the top port of the atrial bubble trap. When the atrial bubble trap is full, close the top and side ports.
- Fill the aortic bubble trap and cannula from the atrial bubble trap. Close both ports on the aortic bubble trap, and close the stopcock to the atrial cannula so the buffer can flow to the aortic cannula. Then close the aortic cannula stopcock and open the top port on the aortic bubble trap until it fills completely. Then close the aortic bubble trap ports.
- Fill the compliance loop by closing all ports on both bubble traps and cannulae.
Starting the System in Constant Flow Langendorff Mode (recommended)
- Close both ports in both the aortic and atrial bubble traps
- Set the atrial cannula stopcock so the solution flows directly to the aortic bubble trap. The aortic cannula stopcock should be allowing solution to flow directly from the aortic bubble trap to the cannula.
Shifting from Constant Flow to Constant Pressure
- Close both ports in the atrial bubble trap, and open the top port of the aortic bubble trap. The side drain of the aortic bubble trap should be open to the reservoir ( for non-recirculating setups) or the oxygenating bubbler (for recirculating setups).
- The cannulae should be the same as in constant flow: Set the atrial cannula stopcock so the solution flows directly to the aortic bubble trap. The aortic cannula stopcock should be allowing solution to flow directly from the aortic bubble trap to the cannula.
- Set the peristaltic pump to a slightly higher rate for constant pressure.
Switching from Langendorff mode to Working Heart Mode
- Open the top port of the aortic bubble trap. The side port should be open to the reservoir or oxygenating bubbler.
- Set the atrial cannula stopcock to flow to a cannula placed in the pulmonary vein, and set the aortic cannula stopcock to flow to the compliance loop.
- Set the compliance loop bubble trap with a syringe on the top port and set afterload by adjusting the syringe.
For further technical assistance with this or any other issue, please contact ADInstruments Technical Support by clicking HERE