Pulsatile Support Mode of BJUT-II Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) has Better Hemodynamic Effects on the Aorta than Constant Speed Mode: A Primary Numerical Study

Numerical simulation analysis of multi-scale computational fluid dynamics on hemodynamic parameters modulated by pulsatile working modes for the centrifugal and axial left ventricular assist devices

Continuous flow (CF) left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) operate at a constant speed mode, which could result in increased risk of adverse events due to reduced vascular pulsatility. Consequently, pump speed modulation algorithms have been proposed to augment vascular pulsatility. However, the quantitative local hemodynamic effects on the aorta when the pump is operating with speed modulation using different types of CF-LVADs are still under investigation. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study was conducted to quantitatively elucidate the hemodynamic effects on a clinical patient-specific aortic model under different speed patterns of CF-LVADs. Pressure distribution, wall shear stress (WSS), time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), relative residence time (RRT), and velocity were calculated to compare their differences at constant and pulsatile speeds under centrifugal and axial LVAD support. Results showed that pulse pressure on the aorta was significantly larger under pulsatile speed mode than that under constant speed mode for both CF-LVADs, indicating enhanced aorta pulsatility, as well as the higher peak blood flow velocity on some representative slices of aorta. Pulsatile speed modulation enhanced peak WSS compared to constant speed; high TAWSS region appeared near the branch of left common carotid artery and distal aorta regardless of speed modes and CF-LVADs but these regions also had low OSI; RRT was almost the same for all the cases. This study may provide a basis for the scientific and reasonable selection of the pulsatile speed patterns of CF-LVADs for treating heart failure patients.

Helical Flow Component of Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) Outflow Improves Aortic Hemodynamic States

Background

Although LVADs are confirmed to have strong effects on aortic hemodynamics, the precise mechanisms of the helical flow component of LVAD outflow are still unclear.

Material/Methods

To clarify these effects, 3 cases – normal case, flat flow case, and realistic flow case – were designed and studied by using the CFD approach. The normal case denoted the normal aorta without LVAD support, and the flat flow case represented the aorta with the outflow cannula. Similarly, the realistic flow case included the aortic model, the model of outflow cannula, and the model of LVAD. The velocity vector, blood streamline, distribution of wall shear stress (WSS), and the local normalized helicity (LNH) were calculated.

Results

The results showed that the helical component of LVAD outflow significantly improved the aortic hemodynamics. Compared with the flat flow case, the helical flow eliminated the vortex near the outer wall of the aorta and improved the blood flow transport (normal case 0.1 m/s vs. flat flow case 0.14 m/s vs. realistic flow case 0.30 m/s) at the descending aorta. Moreover, the helical flow was confirmed to even the distribution of WSS, reduce the peak value of WSS (normal case 0.92 Pa vs. flat flow case 7.39 Pa vs. realistic flow case 5.2Pa), and maintain a more orderly WSS direction.

Conclusions

The helical flow component of LVAD outflow has significant advantages for improving aortic hemodynamic stability. Our study provides novel insights into LVAD optimization.

The study on hemodynamic effect of series type LVAD on aortic blood flow pattern: a primary numerical study

Background

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has become an alternative treatment for end-stage heart failure patients. Series type of LVAD, as a novel LVAD, has attracted more and more attention. The hemodynamic effects of series type LVAD on aortic blood pattern are considered as its important characteristics; however, the precise mechanism of it is still unclear.

Methods

To clarify the hemodynamic effects of series type LVAD on aortic blood flow pattern, a comparative study on the aortic blood flow pattern and hemodynamic states were carried out numerically for two cases, including series type LVAD support and normal condition. The steady-state computational fluid dynamic (CFD) approach was employed. The blood flow streamline, blood velocity vector and distribution of wall shear stress (WSS) were calculated to evaluate the differences of hemodynamic effects between both conditions.

Results

The results demonstrated that the aortic flow pattern under series type LVAD showed significant different from that of normal condition. The strength of aortic swirling flow was significantly enhanced by the series type LVAD support. Meanwhile, the rotating direction of swirling flow under LVAD support was also dominated by the rotating direction of series type LVAD. Moreover, the blood velocity and WSS under LVAD support were also significantly enhanced, compared with that under normal condition.

Conclusion

The hemodynamic states, including the aortic swirling flow characteristic, was significantly dominated by LVAD support. Present investigation could provide not only a useful information on the vascular complications caused by LVAD support, but also provide a useful guide for optimal the structure of the series type LVAD.