Effects of a Short-Term Left Ventricular Assist Device on Hemodynamics in a Heart Failure Patient-Specific Aorta Model: A CFD Study

Abstract

Patients with heart failure (HF) or undergoing cardiogenic shock and percutaneous coronary intervention require short-term cardiac support. Short-term cardiac support using a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) alters the pressure and flows of the vasculature by enhancing perfusion and improving the hemodynamic performance for the HF patients. However, due to the position of the inflow and outflow of the LVAD, the local hemodynamics within the aorta is altered with the LVAD support. Specifically, blood velocity, wall shear stress, and pressure difference are altered within the aorta. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to elucidate the effects of a short-term LVAD for hemodynamic performance in a patient-specific aorta model. The three-dimensional (3D) geometric models of a patient-specific aorta and a short-term LVAD, Impella CP, were created. Velocity, wall shear stress, and pressure difference in the patient-specific aorta model with the Impella CP assistance were calculated and compared with the baseline values of the aorta without Impella CP support. Impella CP support augmented cardiac output, blood velocity, wall shear stress, and pressure difference in the aorta. The proposed CFD study could analyze the quantitative changes in the important hemodynamic parameters while considering the effects of Impella CP, and provide a scientific basis for further predicting and assessing the effects of these hemodynamic signals on the aorta.

Keywords: CFD; heart failure; hemodynamic performance; left ventricular assist device; patient-specific aorta model.