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Estimation of cardiac function with rotary blood pump
Kin-ichi Nakata1, Kenji Akiyama, Yoshiyuki Sankai
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Summary
A new method estimates cardiac function in patients with a rotary blood pump by analyzing the relationship between left ventricle pressure and pump flow rate. This technique allows for assessment without stopping the device, crucial for monitoring patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Rotary blood pumps, used as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), show promise for myocardial recovery.
- Assessing cardiac function with rotary pumps is challenging as stopping them causes backflow.
- Existing methods cannot evaluate cardiac function during LVAD support without interruption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel method for estimating cardiac function during rotary blood pump support.
- To enable continuous cardiac function assessment without necessitating pump stoppage.
- To provide a tool for better management of patients with LVADs.
Main Methods:
- An acute study involving twelve pigs with LVAD implantation.
- Measuring the relationship between left ventricle pressure's dp/dt and differentiated pump flow rate across varying assist ratios (25%-75%).
- Evaluating the method under induced hyperdynamic heart conditions using epinephrine loading.
Main Results:
- A high positive correlation was observed between left ventricle pressure's dp/dt and differentiated pump flow rate.
- This correlation remained significant even at a 75% assist ratio and under hyperdynamic conditions.
- The findings demonstrate the robustness of the developed method.
Conclusions:
- The new method offers a simple and effective way to estimate cardiac function.
- Continuous assessment is possible without interrupting rotary blood pump function.
- This technique is valuable for managing patients requiring LVAD support.
