Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 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
Virtual implantation of a novel LVAD: toward computer-assisted surgery for heart failure
Amedeo Anselmi1, Sophie Collin2, Pascal Haigron2
1Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Rennes, France; INSERM (French National Institute for Healthcare and Medical Research) Unit 1099, Rennes, France; LTSI (Laboratoire de Traitement du Signal et de l'Image), University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France.
Background:
Mechanical and hemodynamic factors are among the determinants of patient-device interaction and early-term and long-term outcomes in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients.
Material And Methods:
We are currently developing computer simulation tools aimed at (1) analyze the intrathoracic and intracavitary positioning of LVADs after implantation and establish correlation with clinical outcomes; (2) assist surgeons in the choice of device and of left ventricular coring site for optimized intrathoracic placement and function; and (3) facilitate the planning of less-invasive LVAD implantation. A virtual representation of LVAD (mesh device component) was created through cone-beam computed tomography and semiautomatic segmentation. A modular framework software (CamiTK, Grenoble, France) was used to create a three-dimensional representation of patients' computed tomography (CT) scan and incorporate the mesh device component for virtual implantation.
Results:
Device reconstruction was included into a dedicated software with the purposes of virtual implantation, based on the preoperative CT scan of surgical candidates.
Conclusions:
We present herein the first digital reconstruction of the novel HeartMate 3 LVAD. Virtual implantation on the basis of preoperative CT scan is feasible within a user-friendly interactive software. Future studies will be focused on correlation with clinical variables.
