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Three‐Dimensional Laser Flow Measurements of a Patient‐Specific F ontan Physiology With Mechanical Circulatory Assistance
Author(s) -
Chopski Steven G.,
Rangus Owen M.,
Downs Emily A.,
Moskowitz William B.,
Throckmorton Amy L.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/aor.12426
Subject(s) - impeller , preload , ventricle , cardiac output , medicine , inferior vena cava , peristaltic pump , cardiology , blood flow , anastomosis , circulatory system , hemodynamics , biomedical engineering , mechanics , surgery , mechanical engineering , physics , engineering
Mechanical assistance of the F ontan circulation is hypothesized to enhance ventricular preload and improve cardiac output; however, little is known about the fluid dynamics. This study is the first to investigate the three‐dimensional flow conditions of a blood pump in an anatomic F ontan. Laser measurements were conducted having an axial flow impeller in the inferior vena cava. Experiments were performed for a physiologic cardiac output, pulmonary arterial flows, and pump speeds of 1000–4000 rpm. The impeller had a modest effect on the flow conditions entering the total cavopulmonary connection at low pump speeds, but a substantial impact on the velocity at higher speeds. The higher speeds of the pump disrupted the recirculation region in the center of the anastomosis, which could be advantageous for washout purposes. No retrograde velocities in the superior vena cava were measured. These findings indicate that mechanical assistance is a viable therapeutic option for patients having dysfunctional single ventricle physiology.