Perioperative Nursing Management of an Animal Model of Axial Flow Blood Pump Implantation

Objective: This study aimed to explore the characteristics of perioperative nursing of experimental goats using self-made axial-flow blood pump implantation and provided theoretical nursing knowledge and practice-based evidence for the clinical application of domestically manufactured artificial cardiac pumps. Methods: Seven experimental goats were used in this study, three for pre-testing and four for the formal experiments. According to the surgical requirements for axial-flow blood pump implantation into the cardiac apex, we creatively designed and made a series of highly practical animal surgical instruments including a composite disassemblable bed for experimental animal transferring and monitoring, a multifunctional animal surgery bed, and portable medical supporting equipment. We also applied for two national invention patents and one utility model patent. Active measures were taken to ensure careful preparation before surgery, close collaboration during surgery, and effective management of complications after surgery. Results: Two of the four experimental goats died during surgery because of a massive hemorrhage caused by distal anastomotic failure and air embolism-induced cardiac arrest caused by air leakage from the outlet into the heart due to poor connection of the auxiliary pressure tap (used to measure left ventricular pressure). The mean survival time of the remaining three experimental goats was 22.7 hours. Conclusion: This study was the first to systematically and comprehensively investigate the perioperative nursing management of axial-flow blood pump implantation using animal models. These findings could greatly promote further clinical applied nursing research of self-made artificial cardiac pump implantation in experimental goats. Joint first author. Corresponding author.