CFD and PIV analysis of a novel, low shear stress intra-aortic ventricular assist device

Stroke has emerged as the primary contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing treatment with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs), possibly arising from the turbulent flow and elevated wall shear stresses generated in these devices. A minimally invasive LVAD (LifeheART) has been proposed to address these issues, employing an intra-aortic location and a shaftless impeller design. The current study uses Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) flow visualization, carried out in a Cardiovascular Mock Circulation Loop (CMCL), to identify the velocity distribution at the pump outlet in order to validate the developed CFD model. Subsequently, the model evaluates the blood shear stress distribution and blood damage index. The results showed that the calculated viscous shear stress (VSS) and the blood damage index of the LifeheART prototype is significantly lower than the published data for current clinically available devices, confirming the potential utility of the new design to improve patient outcomes.