Abstract
We investigated the energistics of the physiological heart model by comparing predictive indexes of the myocardial oxygen consumption (MOC), such as tension-time index (R), tension-time or force-time inteual (FTI), rate-pressure product (RPP), pressure-work index, and systolic pressure-volume area (PVA) when using the electro-hydraulic left ventricular device (LVAD). We developed the model of LVAD incorporated the closed-loop cardiovascular system with a baroreceptor which can control heart rate and time-varying elastance of left and right ventricles. On considering the benefit of the LVAD, the effects of various operation modes, especially timing of assistance, were evaluated using this coupled computer model. Overall results of the computer simulation shows that our LVAD can unload the ischemic (less contractile) heart by decreasing the MU and increasing coronary flow. Because the pump ejection at the end diastolic phase of the natural heart may increase the afterload of the left ventricle, the control scheme of our LVAD must prohibit ejecting at this time. Since the increment of coronary flow is proportional to the peak aortic pressure after ventricle contraction, the LVAD must eject immediately following the closure of the aortic valve to increase oxygen availability.