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Evaluation of Physiological Control Systems for Rotary Left Ventricular Assist Devices: An In-Vitro Study

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Abstract

Rotary left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) show weaker response to preload and greater response to afterload than the native heart. This may lead to ventricular suction or pulmonary congestion, which can be deleterious to the patient’s recovery. A physiological control system which optimizes responsiveness of LVADs may reduce adverse events. This study compared eight physiological control systems for LVAD support against constant speed mode. Pulmonary (PVR) and systemic (SVR) vascular resistance changes, a passive postural change and exercise were simulated in a mock circulation loop to evaluate the controller’s ability to prevent suction and congestion and to increase exercise capacity. Three active and one passive control systems prevented ventricular suction at high PVR (500 dyne s cm−5) and low SVR (600 dyne s cm−5) by decreasing LVAD speed (by 200–515 rpm) and by increasing LVAD inflow cannula resistance (up to 1000 dyne s cm−5) respectively. These controllers increased LVAD preload sensitivity (to 0.196–2.415 L min−1 mmHg−1) compared to the other control systems and constant speed mode (0.039–0.069 L min−1 mmHg−1). The same three active controllers increased pump speed (600–800 rpm) and thus LVAD flow by 4.5 L min−1 during exercise which increased exercise capacity. Physiological control systems that prevent adverse events and/or increase exercise capacity may help improve LVAD patient conditions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to recognize the financial assistance provided by The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation (NR2013-222 and PRO2014-08), the ACTIONS National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence (APP1079421), Queensland Health Research Fellowship and Griffith University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia

    Jo P. Pauls & Geoff Tansley

  2. Innovative Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology Laboratory, Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Jo P. Pauls, Michael C. Stevens, Nicole Bartnikowski, John F. Fraser, Shaun D. Gregory & Geoff Tansley

  3. Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Michael C. Stevens

  4. Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Nicole Bartnikowski

  5. School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    John F. Fraser & Shaun D. Gregory

Authors
  1. Jo P. Pauls
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  2. Michael C. Stevens
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  3. Nicole Bartnikowski
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  4. John F. Fraser
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  5. Shaun D. Gregory
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  6. Geoff Tansley
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Correspondence to Jo P. Pauls.

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Associate Editor Ellen Kuhl oversaw the review of this article.

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Pauls, J.P., Stevens, M.C., Bartnikowski, N. et al. Evaluation of Physiological Control Systems for Rotary Left Ventricular Assist Devices: An In-Vitro Study. Ann Biomed Eng 44, 2377–2387 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-016-1552-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-016-1552-3

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