• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.105-108
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• 2019

Right heart failure is a relatively common complication after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Severe right heart failure can be managed by temporary right ventricular assist device (RVAD) implantation. However, trans-sternal RVAD insertion requires a subsequent third sternotomy for cannula removal. Herein, we present a case of RVAD insertion via a left anterior mini-thoracotomy after LVAD implantation in a patient with alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.22-28
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• 2013

It is important to begin left ventricular assist device (LVAD) treatment at appropriate time for heart failure patients who expect cardiac recovery after the therapy. In order to predict the optimal timing of LVAD implantation, we predicted pumping efficacy of LVAD according to the severity of heart failure theoretically. We used LVAD-implanted cardiovascular system model which consist of 8 Windkessel compartments for the simulation study. The time-varying compliance theory was used to simulate ventricular pumping function in the model. The ventricular systolic dysfunction was implemented by increasing the end-systolic ventricular compliance. Using the mathematical model, we predicted cardiac responses such as left ventricular peak pressure, cardiac output, ejection fraction, and stroke work according to the severity of ventricular systolic dysfunction under the treatments of continuous and pulsatile LVAD. Left ventricular peak pressure, which indicates the ventricular loading condition, decreased maximally at the 1st level heart-failure under pulsatile LVAD therapy and 2nd level heart-failure under continuous LVAD therapy. We conclude that optimal timing for pulsatile LVAD treatment is 1st level heart-failure and for continuous LVAD treatment is 2nd level heart-failure when considering LVAD treatment as "bridge to recovery".

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.349-358
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• 2001

A novel electro-mechanical implantable ventricular assist system is developed as a bridge to transplantation or recovery for patients with end-stage heart failure. The developed system is composed of an implanted blood pump, an external monitoring system which stores data, and a wearable system including a portable external driver and a portable power supply system. The blood pump is designed to be implanted into the left upper abdominal space and provides blood flow from the left ventricular apex to the aorta. The pulsatile blood flow is generated by a double cylindrical cam. There was mo excessive heat emission from the blood pump into the temperature-controlled chamber in the heat test and no stagnated flow within the blood sac by the observation in the flow visualization test. Animal experiments were performed using sheep and calves. The maximum assist flow rate reached 7.85L/min in the animal experiment. The evaluation results showed that the developed system was feasible for the implantable ventricular assist system. The long-term in vitro durability test and mid-term in vivo experiments are in progress and mow the modified next model is under development.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.387-394
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• 1996

This paper presents a Neural Network Identification(NNI) method for modeling of highly complicated nonlinear and time varing human system with a pneumatically driven mock circulatory system of Left Ventricular Assist Device(LVAD). This system consists of electronic circuits and pneumatic driving circuits. The initiation of systole and the pumping duration can be determined by the computer program. The line pressure from a pressure transducer inserted in the pneumatic line was recorded System modeling is completed using the adaptively trained backpropagation learning algorithms with input variables, heart rate(HR), systole-diastole rate(SDR), which can vary state of system. Output parameters are preload, afterload which indicate the systemic dynamic characteristics. Consequently, the neural network shows good approximation of nonlinearity, and characteristics of left Ventricular Assist Device. Our results show that the neural network leads to a significant improvement in the modeling of highly nonlinear Left Ventricular Assist Device.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.385-390
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• 2000

Background: To review the experience that used both ventricular assist device(VAD) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) for children with congential heart disease requiring postcardiotomy mechanical circulatory support. Material and Method: Between March 1993 and May 1995, we applied mechanical assist device using centrifugal pump to the 16 patients who failed to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass(n=15) or had been in cardiogenic shock in intensive care unit(n=1). The diagnosis were all congenital heart diseases and the ages of patients ranged from 20 days to 10 years (mean age=2.5$\pm$3.5 years). Result: The methods of mechanical circulatory support were LVAD(n=13), BVAD (n=1), and ECMO(n=2). The mean assist times were 54.0$\pm$23.7 hours. Post-assist complications were in orders: bleeding, acute renal failure, ventricular failure, respiratory failure, infection, and neurologic complication. It was possible for 9 patients(56.3%) to be weaned from assist device and 5 patients(31.3%) were discharged from hospital. There was no statistical significant between hospital discharged group and undischarged group by age, body weight, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and assist time. Conclusion: The ventricular assist device is an effective modality in salvaging the patient who failed to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass, but multiple factors must be considered for improving the results of mechanical circulatory support ; such as patient selection, optimal time of starting the assist device, and prevention and management of the complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.79-81
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• 2020

Treatment options for children with end-stage heart failure are limited. We report the first case of a successful pediatric heart transplantation bridged with a durable left ventricular assist device in Korea. A 10-month-old female infant with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular non-compaction was listed for heart transplantation. During the waiting period, the patient's status deteriorated. Therefore, we decided to provide support with a durable left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation. The patient was successfully bridged to heart transplantation with effective support and without any major adverse events.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.407-410
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• 2015

A two-month-old infant presented with coarctation of the aorta, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation. Through median sternotomy, the aortic arch was repaired under cardiopulmonary bypass and regional cerebral perfusion. The patient was postoperatively supported with a left ventricular assist device for five days. Left ventricular function gradually improved, eventually recovering with the concomitant regression of mitral regurgitation. Prompt surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta is indicated for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. A central approach for surgical repair with a back-up left ventricular assist device is a safe and effective treatment strategy for these patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.184-194
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• 2024

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are widely employed as a therapeutic option for end-stage heart failure. We evaluated the outcomes associated with centrifugal-flow LVAD implantation, comparing 2 device models: the Heartmate 3 (HM3) and the Heartware Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD). Methods: Data were collected from patients who underwent LVAD implantation between June 1, 2015 and December 31, 2022. We analyzed overall survival, first rehospitalization, and early, late, and LVAD-related complications. Results: In total, 74 patients underwent LVAD implantation, with 42 receiving the HM3 and 32 the HVAD. A mild Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support score was more common among HM3 than HVAD recipients (p=0.006), and patients receiving the HM3 exhibited lower rates of preoperative ventilator use (p=0.010) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p=0.039). The overall early mortality rate was 5.4% (4 of 74 patients), with no significant difference between groups. Regarding early right ventricular (RV) failure, HM3 implantation was associated with a lower rate (13 of 42 [31.0%]) than HVAD implantation (18 of 32 [56.2%], p=0.051). The median rehospitalization-free period was longer for HM3 recipients (16.9 months) than HVAD recipients (5.3 months, p=0.013). Furthermore, HM3 recipients displayed a lower incidence of late hemorrhagic stroke (p=0.016). In the multivariable analysis, preoperative use of continuous renal replacement therapy (odds ratio, 22.31; p=0.002) was the only significant predictor of postoperative RV failure. Conclusion: The LVAD models (HM3 and HVAD) demonstrated comparable overall survival rates. However, the HM3 was associated with a lower risk of late hemorrhagic stroke.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.409-412
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• 2014

Percutaneous extracorporeal life support (P-ECLS) is a useful modality for the management of refractory cardiac or pulmonary failure. However, venoarterial P-ECLS may result in a complication of left ventricular distension. In this case report, we discuss a patient with drug-induced dilated cardiomyopathy managed with venoarterial P-ECLS and a left atrial vent catheter. The venoarterial P-ECLS was modified to a paracorporeal left ventricular assist device (LVAD) by removing the femoral venous cannula. After 28 days of hospitalization, the patient was successfully weaned from the paracorporeal LVAD and discharged home from the hospital.

• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.368-375
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• 2003

Data fusion approach is investigated to avoid suction in the left ventricular assist system (LVAS) using a nonpulsatile pump. LVAS requires careful control of pump speed to support the heart while preventing suction in the left ventricle and providing proper cardiac output at adequate perfusion pressure to the body. Since the implanted sensors are usually unreliable for long-term use, a sensorless approach is adopted to detect suction. The pump model is developed to provide the load coefficient as a necessary signal to the data fusion system without the implanted sensors. The load coefficient of the pump mimics the pulsatility property of the actual pump flow and provides more comparable information than the pump flow after suction occurs. Four signals are generated from the load coefficient as inputs to the data fusion system for suction detection and a neural fuzzy method is implemented to construct the data fusion system. The data fusion approach has a good ability to classify suction status and it can also be used to design a controller for LVAS.