Dynamics of complete right ventricular failure in dogs maintained with an extracorporeal left ventricle.

By replacing the left ventricle of a dog with an extracorporeul pump, complete failure of the right ventricle (e.g., fibrillation) caused marked elevation of central venous pressure, the degree of elevation being a linear function of left ventricular output. In addition, expansion of the intnivascular volume was required in order to maintain circulation by the left ventricle alone. Edema formation was accentuated by the hypervolemia and venous hypertension.