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Updated: May 23, 2026
Implantation of Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in Juvenile Landrace Swine: A LVAD Implantation Model of Pediatric Heart Failure
Published on: January 16, 2026
Synchrony relationships between the left ventricle and a left ventricular assist device: an experimental study in
Angeles Heredero1, Ramon Perez-Caballero, Javier Otero
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Gregorio Marañon General University Hospital, Madrid - Spain.
Background:
Synchronization between the left ventricle and a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) may be important for ventricular unloading and coronary perfusion. We assessed the synchrony between cardiac and LVAD cycles by increasing delays in steps of 100 msec throughout the cycle, under conditions of total and partial left ventricular support.
Methods:
We studied 7 healthy minipigs weighing 30-40 kg. A 60-cc Berlin Heart Excor LVAD was implanted and connected to a BCM 1200 console, making it possible to synchronize the LVAD systole and the EKG signal with a prefixed delay. We recorded hemodynamic parameters (including aortic, pulmonary, and left ventricular pressure) and LVAD flow for each delay.
Results:
Intraventricular pressure during LVAD systole was minimized with delays of around 40-80% of one cycle. In addition, total flow was higher under these conditions.
Conclusions:
This study shows that the synchronous mode of LVAD operation is feasible. Moreover, a delay in device contraction until the second half of the cardiac cycle optimizes ventricular unloading and may eventually improve myocardial recovery.
