Experimental study of physiological advantages of assist circulation using oscillated blood flow

To estimate the effect of oscillated blood flow on hemodynamics in an awake condition, left ventricular assist circulation using oscillated blood flow was performed on 3 adult goats as chronic animal examination. A vibrating flow pump (VFP) was used for generating high-frequency oscillated flow. The blood flow rate of assisted circulation was approximately 1.0 L/min, and the driving frequency of VFP was 25 Hz. Systemic vascular resistance and arterial impedance were calculated in this study. Systemic vascular resistance during assist circulation was decreased compared with that without assistance. Oscillated blood flow may be effective in decreasing vascular resistance. Moreover, it was suggested from the study of arterial impedance that motive characteristics of the vascular wall against changing blood pressure may keep their normal reaction. Therefore, oscillated blood flow may be used for left ventricular assist circulation as concluded from the study of the characteristics of blood vessels.