“…Methods of pumping state discrimination based on the proposed indicators vary from simple threshold analysis (Endo et al 2001, Tanaka et al 2005, Yuhki et al 1999, Oshikawa et al 2000, Ohuchi et al 2001, to more complicated approaches such as Bayesian methods (Boston et al 2000), fuzzy logic (Boston et al 2000a, 2000b, Dempster-Shafer theory (Boston et al 2000a), artificial neural networks (Stöcklmayer et al 1995) and multiple discriminant criteria (Ferreira et al 2006). Results obtained by Endo et al (2001Endo et al ( , 2002Endo et al ( , 2003 showed that the index of motor current amplitude (ICA) has feasibility in continuous flow VAD control. They showed that ICA can demonstrate the safe range of pump speed, which exists between the starting point of total assistance and the starting point of sucking.…”