Patient-specific, echocardiography compatible flow loop model of aortic valve regurgitation in the setting of a mechanical assist device

Mahwash Kassi, Stefano Filippini, Eleonora Avenatti, Susan Xu, Kinan Carlos El-Tallawi, Clara I. Angulo, Marija Vukicevic, Stephen H. Little

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Aortic regurgitation (AR) occurs commonly in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). No gold standard is available to assess AR severity in this setting. Aim of this study was to create a patient-specific model of AR-LVAD with tailored AR flow assessed by Doppler echocardiography. Methods: An echo-compatible flow loop incorporating a 3D printed left heart of a Heart Mate II (HMII) recipient with known significant AR was created. Forward flow and LVAD flow at different LVAD speed were directly measured and AR regurgitant volume (RegVol) obtained by subtraction. Doppler parameters of AR were simultaneously measured at each LVAD speed. Results: We reproduced hemodynamics in a LVAD recipient with AR. AR in the model replicated accurately the AR in the index patient by comparable Color Doppler assessment. Forward flow increased from 4.09 to 5.61 L/min with LVAD speed increasing from 8,800 to 11,000 RPM while RegVol increased by 0.5 L/min (2.01 to 2.5 L/min). Conclusions: Our circulatory flow loop was able to accurately replicate AR severity and flow hemodynamics in an LVAD recipient. This model can be reliably used to study echo parameters and aid clinical management of patients with LVAD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number994431
Pages (from-to)994431
JournalFrontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
Volume10
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 8 2023

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • Doppler assessment
  • LVAD
  • aortic regurgitation
  • patient specific 3D printed phantoms

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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