High-speed visualization of disturbed pathlines in axial flow ventricular assist device under pulsatile conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate potentially prothrombotic flow patterns within an axial flow ventricular assist device under clinically relevant pulsatile hemodynamic conditions.

Methods

A transparent replica of the HeartMate-II left ventricular assist device (Thoratec, Pleasanton, Calif) was visualized using a high speed camera at both low and high frame rates (125 and 3000 fps). Three steady-state conditions were studied: nominal (4.5 lpm), low flow (3.0 lpm), and high flow (6.0 lpm). Time-varying conditions were introduced with an external pulsatile pump that modulated the flow rate by approximately ± 50% of the mean, corresponding to a pulsatility index of 1.0.

Results

At nominal and high flow rates, the path lines within the upstream region were generally stable, well a

SUBMITTER: Yang F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4591189 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature