Energetics of blood flow in Fontan circulation under VAD support

Abstract

The need to simulate the normal operating conditions of the human body is the key factor in every study and engineering process of bioelectronic devices designed for implantation. The Fontan procedure is an example of such a process aimed to support the human body function. It is a standard treatment method for patients with a functionally univentricular heart. However, it has significant drawbacks such as overload of the only functional heart ventricle that often leads to the necessity of the heart transplantation. In this study, we analyze the total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) influence on the blood with and without connected auxiliary blood circulation pump. We investigate four different types of TCPC configurations, analyze blood pressure and different flow rate, study the turbulent kinetic energy distribution, and evaluate hydraulic and power losses for various cases. Finally, we calculate volumetric scalar shear stresses distribution and demonstrate the high potential of TCPC configuration with connected rotary pump as a tool for the load redistribution in the functional heart ventricle. This work is particularly relevant for improving existing TCPCs’ quality that can extend the life of Fontan patients. Moreover, it also applies to the reduction of morbidity and mortality of the patients waiting for the heart transplantation.

Artificial heart in Russia: Past, present, and future

“…Several studies are currently being carried out in Russia to improve technologies of mechanically circulatory support in pediatric 26‐29 . For instance, the team from VI Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation engineered a new miniature axial pump designed for young children––“DON‐3.” The main parameters of the pump: an outer casing diameter of 25 mm, a total length of 60 mm, and a weight of 80 g. At a rotor speed from 13.000 to 17.000 rpm, the productivity is from 1 to 3 L/min with a pressure drop of 80 mm Hg 30 …”

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Assist Device Electrical Current as a Predictor of Left Ventricular Recovery

“…[7,12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20] However, the second approach has limitations in accuracy caused by the low system efficiency of rotary blood pumps, which makes it difficult to assess the direct correlation between the electric and hydraulic parameters of the system. [7,[19][20][21][22] For instance, Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 13 March 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202003.0229.v1…”

Fifteen years of the first Brazilian Centrifugal Ventricular Assist Device for long term Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support

“…Although there are still several methodologies and much to discover, the computational power and ease of validation of TAS Journal, vol. 5, n. 1, p. 01-12 ISSN: 2595-1521 MARCH 2021 eduardobock@gmail.com mathematical models and numerical simulations gives modern VAD scientists a broad toolbox (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25).…”

“…But a promising bet that could be made is that the future belongs to the peripheral countries in this technological race, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which are large emerging economies of the BRICS bloc. These countries are the future for those who want to invest in VADs (23,25,(53)(54)(55)(56)(57). (58).…”