Computational Studies on the Effects of Applied Apical Torsion for Cardiac Assist on Regional Wall Mechanics

Conclusion: Maximum principal stresses greater than 100 kPa were observed at multiple nodes along the epicardium and endocardium of the ventricular base and in the endocardium at the device base. Maximum principal strains greater than 0.60 were observed at multiple nodes along the epicardium and endocardium of the ventricular base. Significance: This suggests that while AAT has the potential to provide meaningful returns to hemodynamic function in failing hearts, the large deformations produced by this approach with the upper bounds of applied rotation angle realistically excludes supra-physiological rotations as a means for cardiac support. However, lower AAT angles – closer to that of the native left-ventricular torsion – coupled with another means of external cardiac compression may prove to be a viable method of cardiac assist.
Source: IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering - Category: Biomedical Engineering Source Type: research