Hydrodynamic characterisation of ventricular assist devices

S Vandenberghe*, P Segers, B Meyns, P Verdonck

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A new mock circulatory system (MCS) was designed to evaluate and characterise the hydraulic performance of ventricular assist devices (VADs). The MCS consists of a preload section and a multipurpose afterload section, with an adjustable compliance chamber (C) and peripheral resistor (Rd as principal components. The MCS was connected to a pulse duplicator system for validation, simulating a wide range of afterload conditions. Both pressure and flow were measured, and the values of the different components calculated. The data perfectly fits a 4-element electrical analogon (EA). The MCS was further used to assess the hydrodynamic characteristics of the Medos VAD as an example of a displacement pump. Data was measured for various MCS settings and at different pump rates, yielding device specific pump function graphs for water and pig blood. Our data demonstrate (i) flow sensitivity to preload and afterload and (ii) the effect of test fluid on hemodynamic performance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)470-477
Number of pages8
JournalInternational journal of artificial organs
Volume24
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - Jul-2001

Keywords

  • cardiovascular model
  • mock circulatory system
  • ventricular assist device
  • 4-element windkessel
  • PULSE PRESSURE METHOD
  • ARTERIAL COMPLIANCE
  • WINDKESSEL MODEL
  • SYSTEM
  • CIRCULATION
  • DOGS

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