Christoph Benk1,
Alexander Mauch1, Friedhelm Beyersdorf1, Rolf Klemm1,
Jan G. Korvink2, Michael Markl3, Bernd A. Jung4
1Dept.
of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany; 2IMTEK
Department of Microsystems Engineering, Laboratory for Simulation,
Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany; 3Dept. of Radiology,
Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United
States; 4Dept. of Radiology, Medical Physics, University Medical
Center, Freiburg, Germany
Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) has become an important treatment option for heart failure patients. However, altered blood flow patterns are suspected to affect perfusion in the aorta or cause structural changes leading to valve dysfunction or thrombus formation. An MR-compatible model system was developed consisting of an aorta connected to a LVAD simulating the pulsatile flow of the native heart. An LVAD was connected to the aorta model using different cannula positions and flow patterns were evaluated in predefined positions. The results indicate that the cannula position strongly influence flow patterns and flow rates in the aorta.