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Numerical washout study of a pulsatile total artificial heart
Simon J Sonntag1, Tim A S Kaufmann, Martin R Büsen
1Department of Cardiovascular Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University and University Hospital Aachen, Aachen - Germany.
The International Journal of Artificial Organs
|April 19, 2014
Summary
This study found that the rotational orientation of bileaflet mechanical heart valves (MHVs) has minimal impact on the washout performance of total artificial hearts (TAHs). Numerical models can effectively assess blood stagnation risks in artificial organs.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Devices
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Blood stagnation in long-term blood pumps like total artificial hearts (TAHs) increases thromboembolic risks.
- Optimizing pump design is crucial to minimize blood stagnation and improve patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To numerically investigate the washout performance of a TAH's left pump chamber.
- To assess the sensitivity of inlet bileaflet mechanical heart valve (MHV) rotational orientation on blood stagnation.
Main Methods:
- Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations combined with a blood washout model.
- Comparison of four inlet valve orientations (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) for washout efficiency.
Main Results:
- Simulated flow fields closely matched particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements.
- Nearly complete blood washout (<0.6% residual blood) achieved within three ejection phases for all tested configurations.
- Minor variations in washout efficiency and flow fields across orientations; 0° showed slight advantages in reducing stagnation.
Conclusions:
- Bileaflet MHV rotational orientation has minimal impact on TAH washout performance.
- The numerical washout model is a valuable tool for quantitatively comparing artificial organ designs for blood stagnation potential.
