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Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart
Published on: May 11, 2018
Optimization of axial-pump pressure sensitivity for a continuous-flow total artificial heart
O H Frazier1, Hassan A Khalil, Robert J Benkowski
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas 77225-0345, USA. lschwenke@heart.thi.tmc.edu
Summary
This study enhanced a continuous-flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) with improved pump responsiveness. The modified device shows potential for better physiologic function and clinical use in heart failure patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Devices
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Continuous-flow total artificial hearts (CFTAH) offer potential advantages for end-stage heart failure.
- Optimizing pump responsiveness to pressure gradients is crucial for effective artificial heart function.
- Non-pulsatile pumps are being investigated for improved hemodynamic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To modify and evaluate the pressure gradient responsiveness of a continuous-flow total artificial heart (CFTAH).
- To compare the performance of the modified CFTAH pump with existing ventricular assist devices (VADs).
Main Methods:
- Modified a MicroMed DeBakey axial-flow pump by altering the inducer-impeller inlet angle to enhance pressure responsivity.
- Conducted in vitro testing to measure the pressure gradient response of the modified pump.
- Compared the modified pump's performance against the unmodified MicroMed DeBakey, Jarvik 2000, and HeartMate II pumps.
Main Results:
- The modified pump demonstrated significantly increased responsiveness to pressure gradient changes between 2-4 L/min flow rates.
- Achieved a maximum pressure responsivity of 2.5 L/min/mmHg, substantially higher than tested VADs (0.12-0.38 L/min/mmHg).
Conclusions:
- The optimized CFTAH shows potential for maintaining physiologic flow rates and responding to pressure variations.
- The hemodynamic interplay of dual optimized pumps may facilitate physiologic responses to circulatory imbalances.
- Enhanced responsiveness could simplify CFTAH design and improve its clinical viability for heart failure therapy.
