In Vitro Evaluation of the Influence of Pulsatile Intraventricular Pumping on Ventricular Pressure Patterns

Abstract

The Pulsatile catheter (PUCA) pump consists of a single port membrane pump connected to an indwelling valved catheter. This so-called transarterial blood pump was originally designed to be introduced through a superficial artery into the left ventricular cavity to pump blood from the left ventricle into the ascending aorta. By introducing the catheter directly into the thoracic aorta or the pulmonary artery, the possibility is created of applying large-diameter catheter PUCA pumps as left, right, or biventricular assist devices (LVAD, RVAD, or BIVAD) without damaging any of the structures of the heart. The pump performance of an 8 mm PUCA pump prototype (internal diameter catheter, 8 mm; catheter length, 40 cm; stroke volume, 80 ml) was studied in a mock circulation to investigate the influence of pulsatile intraventricular pumping on ventricular pressure patterns. The pumping mode of the PUCA pump was changed from approximately 1:1 ([n + 1]:n) to 1:2 ([1/2n + 1]:n) and 1:3 ([1/3n + 1]:n) in relation to the frequency of a ventricle-simulating membrane pump. Apart from the pumping mode, timing of the PUCA pump driving system (ejection phase) seems to be crucial in obtaining optimal unloading of the ventricle.

Cellular and Hemodynamics Responses of Failing Myocardium to Continuous Flow Mechanical Circulatory Support Using the DeBakey-Noon Left Ventricular Assist Device: a Comparative Analysis With Pulsatile-Type Devices

“…However, because device ejection need not coordinate with ventricular ejection, this dysynchrony may paradoxically increase afterload. 10,11 Continuous-type flow pumps, on the other hand, utilize turbine-like impellers aligned to receive blood in an axial fashion and continuously eject the blood into the aorta, thus maintaining ventricular and device synchrony. 12,13 Continuous flow systems may be technically easier to implant, are suitable for smaller patients, and, although they are at an earlier stage of development, appear to be adequate alternatives to bridge patients to cardiac transplantation.…”

Design and Test of a Vascular Access Device

“…Four transarterial systems have been developed: the intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) (3), the Hemopump (4), the Helmholtz microaxial blood pump (5), and the pulsatile catheter (PUCA) pump (6). Both the axial flow pump and the PUCA pump aspirate blood from the left ventricle, thus unloading it (7), and eject blood into the ascending aorta to ensure an adequate blood supply to the coronary arteries (8,9). The PUCA pump creates a pulsatile flow; the 2 microaxial pumps create a continuous flow.…”

Numerical Simulation of the Pulsating Catheter Pump: A Left Ventricular Assist Device

“…The membrane pump, driven pneumatically or electrohydraulically, aspirates blood from the left ventricle thus unloading it and ejects it into the ascending aorta, thus ensuring an adequate blood supply to the coronary arteries. To keep a patient alive during several days, a pump output of 3 L/min at least is required (6). To provide all organs with an adequate pulsatile blood flow, a pump output of 5 L/min is sufficient.…”