C. De Lazzari, G. Ferrari (Italy), M. Darowski (Poland), D.M. Pisanelli, and G. Tosti (Italy)
Cardiovascular system, right ventricular assistance and modelling
Continuous flow assistance is often used to support the right ventricular failure. Computer simulation is one of the methods to study the effect of axial flow pump when it assists the failing ventricle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of this support on some haemodynamic variables, when different right ventricular elastance and pump speed values were applied. A computer model of the complete system, including the cardiovascular system and the rotary blood pump (Hemopump) was used. Lumped parameter models were used to reproduce the circulatory phenomena in terms of pressure and volume relationships. The model chosen to reproduce the Starling’s law of the heart for each ventricle is based on the variable elastance model. Hemopump model aspirated blood from the right ventricle and ejected it into the pulmonary artery. Our simulation showed that Hemopump produces a rise in total flow, a drop in blood flow pumped out by the right ventricle and a drop in right atrial pressure.
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