About the Rick Bartlett Memorial Foundation

Mechanical Right Ventricular Assist Device
For patients with preserved gas exchange, as in the case for many forms of pulmonary hypertension, disease progression occurs when the right ventricle (pulmonary pumping chamber) fails. While mechanical Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) are commonly used for the left side of the heart as a bridge to heart transplant and as destination therapy (using a VAD for permanent support), there are currently no VADs designed specifically for the long-term support of the right ventricle. Right Ventricular Assistant Device (RVAD) development is greatly needed, as right ventricle failure is seen with all forms of end-stage pulmonary hypertension. The physician-scientists at CUMC have created a protocol for the use of both temporary and durable or permanent right ventricle support – a first-of its-kind device. Support for this research initiative would propel the development and advancement of this unique device technology for pulmonary hypertension patients around the world.

Pulmonary Assist Device “Artificial Lung”
In some forms of pulmonary hypertension, including PVOD, there is impaired gas exchange along with right heart failure leading to rapid worsening of breathing and extraordinary strain on the right side of the heart. In these patients, RVAD support alone will not suffice and support for both the right ventricle and help with oxygenation is needed. Columbia has pioneered the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) which is a form of artificial heart-lung circulation in patients with pulmonary hypertension and has achieved outstanding results. Despite these results, there are limitations to current methods of mechanical support for patients, including durability, point of use, management complexity and patient ergonomics. Further, this device is limited to short-term use. Therefore, destination therapy is currently an unrealized option for patients with end-stage lung disease who are not lung transplant candidates and are likely to die without near immediate intervention. With a team of leading surgeons, biomedical engineers, and physicians, the physician-scientists at CUMC are developing a Pulmonary Assist Device, also called artificial lung technology, with the aim to provide both longterm support devices for bridge to transplant patients and create a therapeutic option for patients who need destination therapy. The next phases of development will include optimizing the design, ensuring device durability, creating a prototype, and testing in animal models.

Development of Lung Regeneration Technology
The uniquely comprehensive team at CUMC includes internationally recognized clinicians and researchers in genetics, bioengineering and stem cell research – the foundation for lung regeneration technology and therapy. Endothelial dysfunction (cells of the lung’s blood vessels) is a fundamental component in, and starting point of, pulmonary hypertension. Since endothelial injury is implicated as a potential cause of pulmonary hypertension, increasing attention is being given to exploring the use of Endothelial Progenitor Cells (cells that help regenerate the endothelial lining of blood vessels) as a possible regenerative therapy to correct the underlying cause of the disease process. Working with small and large animal, models, the physician-scientists propose to study healthy and diseased lungs, where a significant decellularization of the endothelium is achieved by perfusing a cell removal solution through the vascular compartment while preserving the rest of the lung as a scaffold for the new healthy cells. This research could lead to an effective therapeutic strategy in pulmonary hypertension before the onset of irreversible complications of the disease and may ultimately lead to the development of novel targets for treatment.

With your support, you will accelerate our ability to bring to fruition these groundbreaking projects. These projects are essential to further our understanding and treatment of PVOD and other cardio-pulmonary vascular diseases leading to pulmonary hypertension- and most importantly, reduce the suffering and loss of life caused by these disorders.

On behalf of The Rick Bartlett Memorial Foundation and Columbia University Medical Center and the patients served, thank you for your generous support for a partnership created to change the landscape of Cardio-Pulmonary Vascular Disease care, now, and in the future.