Hydraulic leg sleeve assists cardiogenic shock victims
A noninvasive circulatory assist device synchronized to the patient's own cardiac cycle is now ready for a large clinical trial, reports a team of investigators from Boston.
According to Harry Soroff, MD, professor of surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine, preliminary trials in animals and man indicate the device can support a patient in cardiogenic shock and, hopefully, prevent myocardial infarction or shock by encouraging the development of collateral circulation.
Dr. Soroff said this postulated increase in collateral circulation may also help to reduce the size of an infarct after a coronary occlusion in cases where the device is used early enough to prevent some of the necrosis.
The device consists of a rubberized nylon sleeve which fits over the legs and is filled with warm water. The sleeve is actually the inner lining of a metal jacket which is subjected to
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