Effect of Vascular Lumen Reduction on the Performance and Energy Consumption of an Innovative Implantable LVAD

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study on the effect of vascular lumen reduction on the performance of an innovative implantable LVAD (left ventricular assist device). It details the pressures in the individual cardiac chambers as a function of device frequency. In addition, mass flow rates and energy consumption of the device are examined, varying with lumen reduction and operating frequency. While the lumen reduction of the vessels has little effect on energy consumption, the mass flow rates vary considerably, i.e., above 140 cyc/min, the mass flow rate increment is no longer achieved for specified initial conditions. There are also differences regarding the pressures in the heart; namely, it was found that the pressure plots look similar in all cases, leading to the conclusion that the reduction of the vessel lumen does not affect their shape, but does affect the maximum values of the left ventricular and aortic pressures. Importantly, the innovative device in the form of an intra-cardiac balloon assembly for circulatory support is based on a pulsatile flow strategy and is synchronized with the ECG signal. Other advantages of the proposed solution include a minimally invasive method of implantation, which is important for patients with end-stage heart failure. The design of the device is portable and the device itself is battery-powered, allowing for shorter hospitalization times and faster recovery, even in patients with end-stage heart failure associated with mitral regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension.