Using the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart for severe heart failure

BiVACOR® Total Artificial Heart Early Feasibility Study

This study is testing a new artificial heart to see if it can help adults with severe heart failure who can't use other heart support devices.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 5 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: BiVACOR Inc. (industry)
• Locations: 4 sites (Phoenix, Arizona and 3 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06174103 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the feasibility of the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (TAH) System in adult patients suffering from severe biventricular heart failure or univentricular heart failure where left ventricular assist device support is not an option. The BiVACOR TAH System is designed to provide mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to transplant. The study will assess the safety and performance of this system in eligible patients requiring life-sustaining support.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with severe, irreversible biventricular heart failure or univentricular heart failure not suitable for LVAD support.

Not a fit: Patients with heart failure that is not severe or those who are not eligible for mechanical circulatory support will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a new life-saving option for patients with severe heart failure who are not candidates for traditional treatments.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies involving mechanical circulatory support have shown promise, but the BiVACOR TAH System represents a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient has severe, irreversible biventricular heart failure and is eligible for biventricular mechanical circulatory support based on the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) guidelines or has univentricular heart failure in which LVAD support is not recommended. ISHLT Guidelines for Biventricular Support:

  1. Biventricular failure with at least two of the following hemodynamic and/or echocardiographic measurements.

     1. Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) ≤ 30%
     2. Right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI) ≤ 0.25 g/m/beat/m2
     3. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) ≤ 14 mm
     4. Right ventricular (RV) to left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter ratio \> 0.72
     5. Central venous pressure (CVP) \> 15mmHg
     6. CVP to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ratio \> 0.63
     7. Tricuspid insufficiency grade 4
     8. Pulmonary artery pressure index (PAPi) \< 2
  2. Treatment-refractory recurrent and sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation in the presence of untreatable arrhythmogenic pathologic substrate.
  3. Heart failure due to restrictive or constrictive physiology (e.g., hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac amyloidosis/senile or other infiltrative heart disease).
* Patient is categorized as INTERMACS Patient Profile Classification 2 or 3.
* Patient is classified as NYHA Class IV.
* Patient has a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 25%, with the exception of patients with restrictive or constrictive physiology.
* Patient is inotrope dependent, OR has a cardiac index (CI) ≤ 2.2 L/min/m2 without inotropes if inotropes are contraindicated (e.g., restrictive or constrictive heart failure), and meets one of the following criteria:

  1. Is on optimal medical management (OMM), based on current heart failure practice guidelines for at least 45 out of the last 60 days and is failing to respond or is not able to tolerate OMM; or
  2. Has advanced heart failure for at least 14 days and is dependent on an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) or similar temporary mechanical circulatory support device (MCSD) for at least seven days.
* Patient is eligible for cardiac transplantation as determined by the implanting center.
* Patient has adequate room in the chest as determined by 3-D imaging or other standard clinical assessments.
* Patient has read and understands the informed consent form (ICF) and has voluntarily provided informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient has contraindications to anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapies.
* Patient has coagulopathy defined by a platelet count \< 50 k/µl.
* Patient has insufficient space in the chest to accommodate the BiVACOR pump.
* Patient has a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2.
* Patient is highly pre-sensitized prior to pump implantation.
* Patient is unconscious and unresponsive.
* Patient is on pre-implant extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for \> 7 days.
* Patient is on pre-implant temporary MCSD for more than 21 days \[e.g., Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), Impella, CentriMag, etc.\] unless ambulatory and free from adverse effects associated with the MCSD.
* Patient is implanted with durable mechanical circulatory support (LVAD or RVAD).
* Patient experienced cerebrovascular accident (CVA) within three months of eligibility evaluation.
* Patient has severe end-organ dysfunction as evidenced by:

  1. Total bilirubin \> 4.0 mg/dL or cirrhosis confirmed by imaging or positive biopsy, and/or
  2. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \< 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or renal replacement therapy dependence.
* Patient has severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or restrictive lung disease requiring home oxygen.
* Patient has primary pulmonary hypertension ≥ 8 Wood units.
* Patient has severe systemic light-chain amyloidosis.
* Patient has been diagnosed with severe cardiac cachexia or irreversible frailty.
* Patient has diabetes with advanced diabetic neuropathy with accompanying skin ulceration.
* Patient has a blood-borne infection within seven days of eligibility evaluation. Positive blood cultures reflective of contaminants (e.g., Staphylococcus epidermidis) will not be considered an exclusion.
* Patient is pregnant or planning pregnancy.
* Patient has a co-morbidity or illness that would limit survival to less than two years.
* Patient has a current drug and/or alcohol addiction or known substance abuse.
* Patient has insufficient social support or a history of non-compliance with medical instructions as determined by the Investigator.
* Patient is participating in another clinical trial that may impact or confound the results of the BiVACOR TAH EFS.

Where this trial is running

Phoenix, Arizona and 3 other locations

• Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix — Phoenix, Arizona, United States (RECRUITING)
• Duke University Hospital — Durham, North Carolina, United States (RECRUITING)
• The Christ Hospital — Cincinnati, Ohio, United States (RECRUITING)
• Texas Heart Institute / Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center — Houston, Texas, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Dennis Kirven

Conditions: Heart Failure, Biventricular Failure