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Enabling the TandemHeart percutaneous ventricular assist device to provide blood flow of up to five liters per minute, the TandemHeart Transseptal Cannula – Enhanced Flow (THTC-EF) from CardiacAssist is positioned in the left atrium.
The cannula is part of the TandemHeart System. The THTC-EF was originally conceived as a product improvement to resolve occasional pliability of the currently marketed TandemHeart Cannula (THTC). The new cannula has a thinner wall, allowing CardiacAssist engineers to increase the inside diameter (ID) and keep the same 21 F outside diameter of the currently marketed THTC.
The increased ID reduces resistance to flow and therefore the TandemHeart System flow increases from 4.0 liters per minute to a maximum of 5.0 liters per minute when used in conjunction with a 17 F arterial cannula. The THTC-EF used in conjunction with a 15 F arterial return cannula provides a 30 percent increase in flow, from 3.5 liters to 4.5 liters.