A 3‐dimensional‐printed left ventricle model incorporated into a mock circulatory loop to investigate hemodynamics inside a severely failing ventricle supported by a blood pump

Abstract

Intraventricular blood stasis is a design consideration for continuous flow blood pumps and might contribute to adverse events such as thrombosis and ventricular suction. However, the blood flow inside left ventricles (LVs) supported by blood pumps is still unclear. In vitro experiments were conducted to imitate how the hydraulic performance of an axial blood pump affects the intraventricular blood flow of a severe heart failure patient, such as velocity distribution, vorticity, and standard deviation of velocity. In this study, a silicone model of the LV was constructed from the computed tomography data of one patient with heart failure and was 3D printed. Then, intraventricular flow was visualized by particle image velocimetry equipment within a mock circulation loop. The results showed that the axial blood pump suctions most of the blood in a severely failing LV, there was an altered flow status within the LV, and blood stasis appeared in the central region of the LV. Some blood may be suctioned from the aortic valve to the blood pump because the patient's native heart was severely failing. Blood stasis at the LV center may cause thrombosis in the LV. The vortex flow near the inner wall of the LV can thoroughly wash the left ventricular cavity.

In vitro benchtop mock circulatory loop for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction emulation

“…Liu et al developed a MCL using a soft silicone model of the left ventricle based on CT images of a patient heart and thoracic aorta (13). The silicone model was placed inside an acrylic chamber and driven using an electric motor, although details on how this is achieved (be it direct actuation, pneumatic compression, or another method) are not given in the paper.…”

“…This is challenging as HFpEF is a multifactorial disease, typified by four phenotypes (8) which makes the simulation of the condition challenging. Previous attempts at developing a mock circulatory loop (MCL) have utilized single pneumatic chambers (9,10), piston actuated ex-vivo hearts (11, 12), and external drive motors (13). The problems with ex-vivo heart models have been well documented; namely the rapid deterioration of electrophysiological and hemodynamic functions.…”