4D Flow MRI in 3D Printed Models of Aorta Grafted With a Ventricular Assist Device Allows Detailed Embolic Trajectory Analysis

Embolic stroke remains an important source of morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients treated with Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs). Decreasing the probability of cranial versus descending aortic embolic trajectory by optimizing the VAD outflow graft position and terminal curvature angle could reduce embolic stroke risk. The goal of this study is to investigate particle trajectories released by a VAD into the aorta, and the effect changes in outflow graft insertion site and terminal curve have on those trajectories.
Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Source Type: research