In silico methods for enhanced design optimization and durability testing of left ventricular expanders in heart...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Computational Modeling

Background:

• Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) presents challenges in LV filling.
• Left ventricular (LV) expanders are novel devices designed to mechanically assist LV expansion.
• Optimizing LV expander design is crucial for effective HFpEF treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore in-silico models for LV expander design optimization.
• To evaluate the impact of various LV expander configurations on cardiac performance.
• To assess the long-term durability of optimized LV expander designs.

Main Methods:

• Development of a human heart model with hypertrophy and cardiac stiffening.
• Simulation of various LV expander shapes, sizes, and materials.
• Quantification of cardiac function using physiological parameters.
• Fatigue analysis of the optimal LV expander design.

Main Results:

• All tested LV expander designs positively impacted cardiac function.
• Cobalt-chromium alloy demonstrated superior suitability over nickel-titanium.
• The optimized design showed a potential lifespan of at least 2.5 years, up to 10 years.

Conclusions:

• LV expanders show promise for treating HFpEF and other cardiac stiffening diseases.
• Even devices with reduced longevity can benefit patients with severe conditions.
• Patient-specific analysis is recommended for tailored device optimization and clinical application.