Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
Effects of pump speed changes on exercise capacity in patients supported with a left ventricular assist device-an
Thomas Schmidt1,2, Birna Bjarnason-Wehrens2, Sebastian Schulte-Eistrup1
1Schüchtermann-Klinik Bad Rothenfelde, Bad Rothenfelde, Germany.
Abstract:
The implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) has been established as a successful treatment for terminal heart failure (HF) for many years. Patient benefits include significantly improved survival, as well as improved quality of life. However, peak exercise capacity following LVAD implantation remains considerably restricted. This could be due to the predominate use of continuous-flow pumps, which operate at a fixed rotational speed and do not adapt to exercise conditions. Therefore, current research is focused on whether, and to what extent, adaptations in pump speed can influence and improve patient exercise capacity. We performed a systematic PubMed literature search on this topic, and found 11 relevant studies with 161 patients. Exercise time, peak work load, total cardiac output (TCO), peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) and, if available, values at the anaerobic threshold (AT) were all taken into consideration. Possible complications were documented. This paper aims to compare the results from these studies in order to discuss the effects of pump speed adaptations on exercise capacity.
Related Concept Videos
ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview
There are four main types of ATP-driven pumps - P-type, V-type, F-type, and ABC transporter. All these pumps are of varying complexities and...
Effects of Chemicals: Overview
Lung Capacity
Buffer Effectiveness
The buffer capacity is the amount of acid or base that can be added to a given volume...
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Inductive Effects on Chemical Shift: Overview

