Mechanism of Self-Regulation and In Vivo Performance of the Cleveland Clinic Continuous-Flow Total Artificial Heart

Cleveland Clinic's continuous-flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) provides systemic and pulmonary circulations using one assembly (one motor, two impellers). The right pump hydraulic output to the pulmonary circulation is self-regulated by the rotating assembly's passive axial movement in response to atrial differential pressure to balance itself to the left pump output. This combination of features integrates a biocompatible, pressure-balancing regulator with a double-ended pump. The CFTAH requires no flow or pressure sensors. The only control parameter is pump speed, modulated at programmable rates (60-120 beats/min) and amplitudes (0 to ±25%) to provide flow pulses. In bench studies, passive self-regulation (range: -5 mm Hg ≤ [left atrial pressure - right atrial pressure] ≤ 10 mm Hg) was demonstrated over a systemic/vascular resistance ratio range of 2.0-20 and a flow range of 3-9 L/min. Performance of the most recent pump configuration was demonstrated in chronic studies, including three consecutive long-term experiments (30, 90, and 90 days). These experiments were performed at a constant postoperative mean speed with a ±15% speed modulation, demonstrating a totally self-regulating mode of operation, from 3 days after implant to explant, despite a weight gain of up to 40%. The mechanism of self-regulation functioned properly, continuously throughout the chronic in vivo experiments, demonstrating the performance goals.