Numerical and in vitro investigation of a novel mechanical circulatory support device installed in the descending aorta.

Traditional implantation techniques of assist devices from the apex of left ventricle to the ascending or descending aorta are highly invasive and carry substantial complications for end-stage heart failure patients. This study has shown that the descending aorta can be a promising location to install an implantable mechanical circulatory support with minimally invasive surgery. Herein, the hemodynamic effect of an in-house prototyped pump implanted in the descending aorta was investigated numerically as well as experimentally. The objective of the experimental study is met by using the in-house simulator of the cardiovascular loop replicating congestive heart failure conditions. The objective of the numerical study was met by using the modified version of the concentrated lumped parameter model developed by the same team. The results show that the pump placement in the descending aorta can lead to an improvement in pulsatility. The pressure drop, generated at the upstream of the pump, facilitates the cardiac output as a result of after-load reduction, but at the same time, it induces a slight drop in the carotid as well as the coronary perfusion. The pressure rise, generated at the downstream of the pump, improves the blood perfusion in the renal circulation.