• Advances in biomechanics and applications
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.23-40
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• 2014

This paper examines the blood chamber of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) under static loading conditions and standard operating temperatures. The LVAD's walls are made of a temperature-sensitive polymer (ChronoFlex C 55D) and are covered with a titanium nitride (TiN) nano-coating (deposited by laser ablation) to improve their haemocompatibility. A loss of cohesion may be observed near the coating-substrate boundary. Therefore, a micro-scale stress-strain analysis of the multilayered blood chamber was conducted with FE (finite element) code. The multi-scale model included a macro-model of the LVAD's blood chamber and a micro-model of the TiN coating. The theories of non-linear elasticity and elasto-plasticity were applied. The formulated problems were solved with a finite element method. The micro-scale problem was solved for a representative volume element (RVE). This micro-model accounted for the residual stress, a material model of the TiN coating, the stress results under loading pressures, the thickness of the TiN coating and the wave parameters of the TiN surface. The numerical results (displacements and strains) were experimentally validated using digital image correlation (DIC) during static blood pressure deformations. The maximum strain and stress were determined at static pressure steps in a macro-scale FE simulation. The strain and stress were also computed at the same loading conditions in a micro-scale FE simulation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.413-417
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• 2024

A 70-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, using a HeartWare ventricular assist device, as a bridge to candidacy. After 26 months, computed tomography (CT) angiography indicated stenosis in the LVAD outflow graft; however, the patient was asymptomatic, prompting a decision to manage his condition with close monitoring. Ten months later, the patient presented with dizziness and low-flow alerts. Subsequent CT angiography revealed a critical obstruction involving the entire LVAD outflow graft. The patient underwent emergency surgery, during which an organized seroma causing the graft obstruction was found between a wrapped expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft and a Dacron outflow graft. The covering of the outflow graft was removed, along with the organized seroma. Following removal of the ePTFE wrap and decompression of the outflow graft, normal LVAD flow was reestablished. The practice of wrapping the outflow graft with synthetic material, commonly done to facilitate later redo sternotomy, may pose a risk for outflow graft obstruction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2022

Background: The integrated design of the HeartMate 3 (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA) affords flexibility to place the pump within the pericardium or thoracic cavity. We sought to determine whether the presence of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in either location has a meaningful impact on overall patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all 165 patients who received a HeartMate 3 LVAD via a median sternotomy from November 2014 to August 2019 at our center. Based on operative reports and imaging, patients were divided into intrapleural (n=81) and intrapericardial (n=84) cohorts. The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality, while secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, cumulative readmission incidence, and 3-year survival. Results: There were no significant between-group differences in baseline demographics, risk factors, or preoperative hemodynamics. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 6%, with no significant difference between the cohorts (9% vs. 4%, p=0.20). There were no significant differences in the postoperative rates of right ventricular failure, kidney failure requiring hemodialysis, stroke, tracheostomy, or arrhythmias. Over 3 years, despite similar mortality rates, intrapleural patients had significantly more readmissions (n=180 vs. n=117, p<0.01) with the most common reason being infection (n=68/165), predominantly unrelated to the device. Intrapleural patients had significantly more infection-related readmissions, predominantly driven by non-ventricular assist device-related infections (p=0.02), with 41% of these due to respiratory infections compared with 28% of intrapericardial patients. Conclusion: Compared with intrapericardial placement, insertion of an intrapleural HM3 may be associated with a higher incidence of readmission, especially due to respiratory infection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.689-699
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• 1996

An animal experiment was designed for the evaluation of in vivo performance of the newly developed electrohydraulic type ventricular assist device and its influence on the left ventricular function during pal- satile left ventricular assist. Eight adult sheep were incorporated into the study and data were collected from seven sheep. Total as- sist time ranged from 69 minutes to 7 days. The performance of the device was satisfactory both in asyn- chr nous and synchronous mode within the range of given native heart rate. More than 4 liters of device output could be reached within the range of normal left atral pressure without development of negative pressure in the left atrium. Moderate to severe degree of hemolysis was noted as evidenced by significant increase of plasma free hemoglobin level after 3 days of left ventricular support along with the presence of the small amount of thrombi around the floating disc type polymer valve apparatus reflecting that further study and refinement of the device need to be done in regard of biocompatibility and thromboresistance. The hemodynamics showed increase in heart rate (p < 0.05), cardiac output and left ventricular minute work (p < 0.05) after placement of the device at the flow rate of 2.0∼2.5 Llmin. The left atrial pressure, left ventricular pressure and LV dpldt were decreased after the device placement(p < 0.05). The endocardial viability ratio and oxygen contents of the mixed ven us blood and coronary venous blood were all increased (p < 0.05) after the device placement suggesting effective unloading of the left ventricle was accomplished. The myocardial perfusion was thought improved in synchronous counterpulsation as suggested by sig- nificant increase in endocardial viability ratio and coronary venous blood oxygen content in synchronous assist mode comparing with asynchronous mode.

• 순환기질환의공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.16-17
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• 2001

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1191-1198
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• 2011

The use of a ventricular assist device (VAD) can raise the one-year survival rate without cardiac transplantation from 25% to 52%. However, malfunction of the VAD system causes 6% of VAD patients' deaths, which could possibly be avoided through the development of new VADs in which VAD malfunctions do not affect the patient's heart movement or hemodynamic state. A conventional VAD has an impeller or vane for propelling blood that can allow blood to regurgitate when the propelling force is weaker than the aortic pressure. In this paper, we developed a new pulsatile conduit-shaped VAD that has two valves. This device removes the possibility of blood regurgitation and has a small stationary area even when the pumping force is extremely weak. We estimated the characteristics of the device by measuring the outflow and the pressure of the pump in in-vitro and in-vivo experiments.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.306-309
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• 2020

A 59-year-old man presented for possible durable ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation. He had previously been diagnosed with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, a ventricular septal defect, an atrial septal defect, pulmonary valve stenosis, and aortic valve regurgitation. In the previous 22 years, he had undergone palliative cardiac surgery 3 times. VAD implantation as a bridge to transplantation was planned. Owing to severe adhesions, mesocardia, a left ascending aorta, and moderate aortic regurgitation, we performed VAD implantation and aortic valve closure via a dual left thoracotomy and partial sternotomy.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.163-167
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• 1993

We developed a ventricular assist device(VAD) to be used as a bridge to heart transplantation or a circulatory assist device for patients with end-stage heart disease or poor myocardial function after cardiac surgery. It is a pneumatic and diaphragm-type VAD and its stroke volume is 90 cc. The upper housing and diaphragm is made of a segmented polyurethane and the lower back plate is made of a polycarbonate. Two Carbomedics$^R$ mechanical valves are used as inlet and outlet valves. It was tested in vitro and the cardiac output of the VAD was 7 L/min at a heart rate of 70 bpm. The line pressure from a pressure transducer inserted in the pneumatic line was recorded and compared with the ideal pressure tracing.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.390-393
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• 1994

의료기술의 발달로 오늘날의 개심술은 대부분 성공적으로 시행되고 있지만 극히 일부분은 아직도 개심술후 심한 심실기능의 저하로 사망하는 겨우가 있다. 1960년대 중반 Spencer와 DeBakey에 의해 개심술후 심한 심실기능이 저하된 환자에게 심실보조장치를 이용하여 성공적으로 치험한 이후로 많은 발전을 거듭해 왔다. 저자들은 4개월 (6.5Kg)된 남아에서 개심술후 심한 저심박출증으로 인공심폐기의 제거를 못하여 좌심실 보조장치(Centrifugal Biopump)를 사용하여 성공적으로 치험하였기에 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.247-252
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• 1997

Ten acute and chronic in vivo studies were utilized to develop a pneumatic ventricular assist device (VAD) as a bridge to heart transplantation or a circulatory assist device for patients with end-stage heart disease or poor myocardial funct on after cardiac surgery. Two sizes of blood pump of 70cc for adult patients and 34cc for pediatric patients were implanted in the animals. Ventricle of the blood pump was made from the polyurethaae to enhance antithrombogenecity. The VAD was implanted between the left atrium and the descending aorta. Average flow rate was 2.38 L/min for adult and 0.41 L/min for pediatric VAD at the rate of 60 bum. The duration of support ranged from 1 to 26 hours. The most frequent complication was bleeding. Main causes of death were heart failure and respiratory failure. The device function was good for short term use. Studies to date suggest that, with further refinement, a reliable long term VAD that will have clinical application can be developed.