High-frequency operation of a pulsatile VAD – a simulation study

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are mechanical blood pumps that are clinically used to treat severe heart failure. Pulsatile VADs (pVADs) were initially used, but are today in most cases replaced by turbodynamic VADs (tVADs). The major concern with the pVADs is their size, which prohibits full pump body implantation for a majority of patients. A reduction of the necessary stroke volume can be achieved by increasing the stroke frequency, while maintaining the same level of support capability. This reduction in stroke volume in turn offers the possibility to reduce the pump’s overall dimensions. We simulated a human cardiovascular system (CVS) supported by a pVAD with three different stroke rates that were equal, two- or threefold the heart rate (HR). The pVAD was additionally synchronized to the HR for better control over the hemodynamics and the ventricular unloading. The simulation results with a HR of 90 bpm showed that a pVAD stroke volume can be reduced by 71%, while maintaining an aortic pulse pressure (PP) of 30 mm Hg, avoiding suction events, reducing the ventricular stroke work (SW) and allowing the aortic valve to open. A reduction by 67% offers the additional possibility to tune the interaction between the pVAD and the CVS. These findings allow a major reduction of the pVAD’s body size, while allowing the physician to tune the pVAD according to the patient’s needs.

Using Animal Models to Study Pediatric Cardiovascular Devices: The Impact on Fluid Dynamics

Due to a high mortality rate for pediatric patients on the heart transplant list, smaller versions of ventricular assist devices (VADs) are being developed for these patients [1]. Ventricular assist devicess used in adult patients with end-stage heart failure have already become a viable option during the bridge-to-transplant period [2] and have also shown potential for aiding in myocardial recovery. A challenge to the development of pediatric VADs is the use of the aortic cannulae attached to them. During the development of the 12cc Pennsylvania State pediatric pulsatile VAD, particle image velocimetry (PIV) illustrated that hematocrit levels affected the fluid dynamics. The objective of this study is to compare the fluid dynamics of a pediatric blood analog and a goat blood analog within PVAD aortic cannulae.

The 12cc Penn State Pulsatile Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device: Fluid Dynamics Associated With Valve Selection

The mortality rate for infants awaiting a heart transplant is 40% because of the extremely limited number of donor organs. Ventricular assist devices (VADs), a common bridge-to-transplant solution in adults, are becoming a viable option for pediatric patients. A major obstacle faced by VAD designers is thromboembolism. Previous studies have shown that the interrelated flow characteristics necessary for the prevention of thrombosis in a pulsatile VAD are a strong inlet jet, a late diastolic recirculating flow, and a wall shear rate greater than 500s−1. Particle image velocimetry was used to compare the flow fields in the chamber of the 12cc Penn State pediatric pulsatile VAD using two mechanical heart valves: Björk–Shiley monostrut (BSM) tilting disk valves and CarboMedics (CM) bileaflet valves. In conjunction with the flow evaluation, wall shear data were calculated and analyzed to help quantify wall washing. The major orifice inlet jet of the device containing BSM valves was more intense, which led to better recirculation and wall washing than the three jets produced by the CM valves. Regurgitation through the CM valve served as a significant hindrance to the development of the rotational flow.