Investigation of a hydrodynamic performance of a ventricular assist device after its long-term use in clinical application

A long-term durability of a ventricular assist device (VAD) is required due to a shortage of donor hearts for cardiac transplantation, but there is no analyzed pump data after long-term use. This study aimed to perform a comparative study between new VAD and VADs after long-term use. The hydrodynamic performance of the used Toyobo VADs (mean period of 5 months with the maximum of 12 months) was evaluated in a mock circulatory system, where a new VAD was used as a control. Although a remarkable difference was not observed in terms of mean flow rate, flow and pressure waveforms varied significantly. Then, the pressure-volume relationship of each pump was measured. It was found that the capacity of long-term VADs was reduced. Although a further study is required, these results suggested that a long-term use of VAD may cause a change in mechanical properties of polymer materials.