Phasic coronary blood flow pattern during a continuous flow left ventricular assist support

Yoshio Ootaki, Keiji Kamohara, Masatoshi Akiyama, Firas Zahr, Michael W. Kopcak, Raymond Dessoffy, Kiyotaka Fukamachi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been introduced and tested as a bridge to heart transplantation, bridge to recovery, and destination therapy, and several studies have been conducted to assess the physiologic effects of continuous flow LVADs. However, the effect of reduced pulsatility on the phasic coronary blood flow pattern is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the phasic coronary blood flow patterns during continuous flow LVAD support. Methods: Phasic coronary blood flow patterns and hemodynamic data were analyzed using three flow probes placed around the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), left circumflex coronary artery (LCX), and the right coronary artery (RCA) in 16 pigs before and after initiating the LVAD support with or without creating LAD stenosis. Results: The total coronary blood flow (TCBF, 112.8 ± 31.4 mL/min) gradually decreased when the continuous flow LVAD support increased to 2.0 L/min (110.7 ± 29.0 mL/min, P = 0.571), 2.5 L/min (103.7 ± 26.1 mL/min, P = 0.079), and 3.0 L/min (101.5 ± 27.2 mL/min, P = 0.027) because of decreases in LAD flow and LCX flow. LVAD support caused decrease in systolic and peak systolic LAD flow, LCX flow, and RCA flow, whereas diastolic RCA flow increased. In the presence of LAD stenosis, the TCBF (97.7 ± 36.1 mL/min) decreased when the continuous flow LVAD support increased to 2.0 L/min (83.9 ± 22.1 mL/min, P = 0.029), 2.5 L/min (83.2 ± 25.2 mL/min, P = 0.012), and 3.0 L/min (87.6 ± 23.4 mL/min, P = 0.005) because of decreases in LCX flow. Conclusion: Use of a continuous flow LVAD decreased TCBF, LAD flow, and LCX flow secondary to reduced systolic LAD flow and LCX flow, and decreased TCBF and LCX flow in the presence of LAD stenosis. These findings are potentially relevant to understanding the physiology of myocardial blood perfusion during continuous flow LVAD support especially in patients with coronary artery disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)711-716
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
Volume28
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Circulatory assistance
  • Left ventricular assist device
  • Perfusion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Phasic coronary blood flow pattern during a continuous flow left ventricular assist support'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this