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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
In Vitro Model of Physiological and Pathological Blood Flow with Application to Investigations of Vascular Cell Remodeling
Published on: November 3, 2015
Haemodynamic evaluation of the new pulsatile-flow generation method in vitro
George P Itkin1, Alexander S Bychnev1, Arkady P Kuleshov1
1Laboratory of Biotechnical Systems, Federal State Budgetary Institution 'Academician V.I. Shumakov Federal Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs', Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation.
A new method generates pulsatile flow in continuous-flow ventricular-assist devices (CF-VADs) without altering pump speed. This pulsatile flow improves hemodynamic efficiency while maintaining low hemolysis rates, offering a potential solution for CF-VAD complications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Science
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Continuous-flow ventricular-assist devices (CF-VADs) are crucial for advanced heart failure but can cause complications like bleeding and aortic insufficiency.
- Existing CF-VADs have limitations impacting microcirculation, necessitating improved designs for both short-term and long-term mechanical circulatory support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel method for generating pulsatile flow in CF-VADs without changing pump speed.
- To assess the impact of this pulsatile flow on hemodynamic efficiency and hemocompatibility.
Main Methods:
- A shunt with an adjustable valve was connected in parallel to a CF-VAD (Rotaflow), creating pulsatile flow synchronized with the left ventricle-aorta circuit.
- Hemodynamic efficiency was compared between standard CF-VAD operation and the pulsatile mode using aortic pulsation index, equivalent energy pressure, and surplus hemodynamic energy.
- Hemolysis was assessed at a flow rate of 5 L/min and a pressure drop of 100 mm Hg.
Main Results:
- The pulsatile flow method significantly increased hemodynamic efficiency: aortic pulsation index by 4 times, equivalent energy pressure by 7.36%, and surplus hemodynamic energy by 10 times.
- Hemolysis levels remained comparable between the standard and pulsatile modes, with a normalized index of 0.0015 ± 0.001.
- The study demonstrated the feasibility of generating pulsatile flow in CF-VADs without altering impeller speed.
Conclusions:
- The developed pulsatile-flow generation method enhances hemodynamic performance in CF-VADs without compromising hemocompatibility.
- This approach offers a promising strategy to mitigate complications associated with continuous-flow mechanical circulatory support.
- The method is suitable for both short-term extracorporeal and long-term implantable CF-VAD systems.
