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Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis to Determine Shear Stresses and Rates in a Centrifugal Left Ventricular Assist Device
Author(s) -
Selgrade Brian Paul,
Truskey George A.
Publication year - 2012
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/j.1525-1594.2011.01416.x
Subject(s) - impeller , shear stress , shear (geology) , ventricular assist device , computational fluid dynamics , shear rate , materials science , mechanics , structural engineering , cardiology , composite material , medicine , engineering , heart failure , physics , viscosity
Axial flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are a significant improvement in mechanical circulatory support. However, patients with these devices experience degradation of large von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers, which is associated with bleeding and may be caused by high shear stresses within the LVAD. In this study, we used computational fluid mechanics to determine the wall shear stresses, shear rates, and residence times in a centrifugal LVAD and assess the impact on these variables caused by changing impeller speed and changing from a shrouded to a semi‐open impeller. In both LVAD types, shear rates were well over 10 000/s in several regions. This is high enough to degrade vWF, but it is unclear if residence times, which were below 5 ms in high‐shear regions, are long enough to allow vWF cleavage. Additionally, wall shear stresses were below the threshold stress of 10 Pa only in the outlet tube so it is feasible to endothelialize this region to enhance its biocompatibility.