title: A compliant, banded outflow cannula for decreased afterload sensitivity of rotary right ventricular assist devices.
abstract: Biventricular support with dual rotary ventricular assist devices (VADs) has been implemented clinically with restriction of the right VAD (RVAD) outflow cannula to artificially increase afterload and, therefore, operate within recommended design speed ranges. However, the low preload and high afterload sensitivity of these devices increase the susceptibility of suction events. Active control systems are prone to sensor drift or inaccurate inferred (sensor-less) data, therefore an alternative solution may be of benefit. This study presents the in vitro evaluation of a compliant outflow cannula designed to passively decrease the afterload sensitivity of rotary RVADs and minimize left-sided suction events. A one-way fluid-structure interaction model was initially used to produce a design with suitable flow dynamics and radial deformation. The resultant geometry was cast with different initial cross-sectional restrictions and concentrations of a softening diluent before evaluation in a mock circulation loop. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was increased from 50 dyne s/cm(5) until left-sided suction events occurred with each compliant cannula and a rigid, 4.5 mm diameter outflow cannula for comparison. Early suction events (PVR ∼ 300 dyne s/cm(5) ) were observed with the rigid outflow cannula. Addition of the compliant section with an initial 3 mm diameter restriction and 10% diluent expanded the outflow restriction as PVR increased, thus increasing RVAD flow rate and preventing left-sided suction events at PVR levels beyond 1000 dyne s/cm(5) . Therefore, the compliant, restricted outflow cannula provided a passive control system to assist in the prevention of suction events with rotary biventricular support while maintaining pump speeds within normal ranges of operation.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Innovative Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology Laboratory, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Shaun D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schummy
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pearcy
authors.forename: Jo P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pauls
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tansley
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Timms
mesh_terms: D057785:Catheters; D004867:Equipment Design; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D013396:Suction
keywords: Afterload sensitivity; Compliant cannula; Heart failure; Physiological control; Suction event; Ventricular assist device