Effects of Left Ventricular Assist Device on Cardiac Function: Experimental Study of Relationship between Pump Flow and Left Ventricular Diastolic Function

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with centrifugal pump has two characteristics. One is a pump flow wave of the centrifugal pump, consisting of the pulsatile flow of the native heart and the nonpulsatile flow of the centrifugal pump. The other is that the centrifugal pump fills from the native heart not only in the systolic phase, but also in the diastolic phase. In the case of the apex outlet LVAD with centrifugal pump, blood flows from the left atrium through the left ventricle to the pump. Pump flow is regulated by preload, and preload is regulated by diastolic hemodynamics. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between pump flow and the diastolic hemodynamics of the native heart. Ten anesthetized intact pigs were studied after placement of an LVAD. Data were recorded with the LVAD off (control) and the LVAD on. The assist rate was changed to 25%, 50%, and 75%. The indexes of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function included LV myocardial relaxation (time constant of isovolumic pressure decay [Tau] and maximum negative dP/dt [LV dP/dt min]) and LV filling (peak filling rate [PFR], time to peak filling rate [tPFR], and diastolic filling time [DFT]). Stroke volume decreased significantly in 75% assist. LV end-systolic pressure decreased significantly in 50% and 75% assist. LV end-diastolic volume decreased as assist rate increased, but there were no significant changes. Stroke work decreased significantly in 50% and 75% assist. LV dP/dt min decreased significantly in 50% and 75% assist. Tau prolonged as assist rate increased, but there were no significant changes. DFT shortened significantly in 75% assist. PFR increased significantly in 75% assist. tPFR shortened significantly in 50% and 75% assist. In this study, LV relaxation delayed as an increasing of pump assist rate, but it suggested a result of reduction of cardiac work. Also, it was suggested that LVAD increases the pressure difference between the left atrium and the left ventricle in the diastolic phase. This phenomenon is due to the filling of the left ventricle. In this study it was suggested that as pump assist rate increases, it is more effective to keep cardiac function in the diastolic phase.