Optimal adjustment of the atrio-aortic left ventricular assist device (AA-LVAD)

The authors document a protocol for optimal timing of the LVAD based on reduced heart oxygen consumption. Timing is studied using a closed-loop analog model of the heart, vascular system, and the LVAD. Results indicate that the pump should begin ejection immediately after the close of the aortic valve and that the pump filling pressure should pump set to a value which produces maximum filling of the pump and maximum ventricular unloading. The optimization of the pump ejection pressure is a trade-off between left-ventricular O/sub 2/ and stroke volume and mean arterial pressure.<
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