Millar, Inc. Sells Inca® Pressure-Volume (PV) Loop System to the University of Colorado to Support LVAD Research

HOUSTON, June 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Millar, Inc. is pleased to announce that the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has purchased the CD Leycom® Inca® Pressure-Volume (PV) Loop System – sold in North America exclusively by Millar, Inc. – to better understand how left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) impact ventricular function and post-implantation exercise capacity. 

Dr. William Cornwell, Assistant Professor, Medicine – Cardiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, became interested in LVAD research after working with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) patients and observing that some patients continue to experience heart failure symptoms and impaired functional capacity, despite a normalized cardiac output. The 5-year NIH grant awarded to Dr. Cornwell will allow him to study what parameters limit exercise capacity in these patients. Analysis of exercise response will be evaluated prior to undergoing LVAD implantation and post LVAD implantation once the patient is clinically ambulatory. Dr. Cornwell will be collaborating with Andreas Brieke, MD, Medical Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and Greg Coe, MS, Clinical Research Coordinator with the Clinical Research Support Team at the Colorado Clinical Translational Sciences Institute. 

Assumptions about what may limit exercise capacity will be tested, including the concept that an LVAD may negatively impact right ventricle function during exercise.  The Inca PV system and high-fidelity pressure-volume catheters will provide a detailed analysis of the impact that LVADs have on RV function. During this study, the Inca PV system, which allows visualization of the complete cardiac cycle in real-time, will be primarily used to monitor ESPVR, EDPVR, Tau and cardiac output.

This research showcases an excellent example of how Millar customers are making strides to improve patient health outcomes.

About Millar, Inc.
Since 1969, Millar, Inc. has led the development of catheter-based, solid-state pressure sensors and is known worldwide as the leader in sensors that advance medical understanding. Today the company's clinical and life sciences products empower medical discovery and allow advanced cardiovascular diagnosis. Millar also delivers OEM solutions to the medical device and life sciences industries through our MEMS pressure sensors, ISO 13485 precision manufacturing and wireless power technology.

SOURCE Millar, Inc.