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A computer-controlled aortic and mitral valve occluder
S B Solomon1, S D Nikolic, R W Frater
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
Insights
Researchers developed computer-controlled occluders to precisely measure cardiac mechanics. These tools separate active and passive ventricular filling components, improving understanding of beat-to-beat heart function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cardiac mechanics analysis requires understanding beat-to-beat changes.
- Left ventricular diastolic filling has simultaneous active (relaxation) and passive components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel computer-controlled devices to separate active and passive components of left ventricular filling.
- To simultaneously alter afterload conditions and control ventricular filling/ejection.
Main Methods:
- Designed a computer-controlled mitral valve occluder to prevent left ventricular filling.
- Designed a computer-controlled aortic occluder to modify afterload.
- Utilized these devices in experiments with six dogs for precise beat-to-beat control.
Main Results:
- The devices effectively controlled ventricular inflow and ejection on a beat-to-beat basis.
- Achieved more accurate triggering and occlusion timing compared to previous methods.
- Successfully separated passive filling from active ventricular relaxation and altered afterload simultaneously.
Conclusions:
- The developed computer-controlled occluders provide a precise method for studying cardiac mechanics.
- This technology facilitates a deeper understanding of the control mechanisms governing ventricular filling and ejection.
- Enables advanced research into cardiac function and potential therapeutic interventions.
Abstract:
To study cardiac mechanics, it is important to study the beat-to-beat changes in the heart. Left ventricular diastolic filling properties are determined by a passive component and an active component due to ventricular relaxation that occur simultaneously. To separate the active and passive components of ventricular filling, we designed a computer-controlled mitral valve occluder that prevents left ventricular filling. A computer-controlled aortic occluder was designed to change afterload conditions that could affect the components of ventricular filling. Experiments in six dogs demonstrated that these devices effectively control ventricular inflow and ejection on a beat-to-beat basis. The computer-controlled aortic and mitral occluders have a more accurate triggering and occlusion timing system than the previously reported techniques. This computer-controlled device enabled us to separate the passive component of filling from the active component, ventricular relaxation, and to alter afterload simultaneously, which will allow us to develop a better understanding of how ventricular filling and ejection is controlled on a beat-to-beat basis.