Total left ventricular unloading markably reduces the pressure-volume area, thereby oxygen consumption

• Published in: Transactions of Japanese Society for Medical and Biological Engineering Vol. 52; no. Supplement; pp. O-548 - O-549
• Main Authors: Arimura, Takahiro, Saku, Keita, Kakino, Takamori, Akashi, Takuya, Takehara, Takako, Nishizaki, Akiko, Oga, Yasuhiro, Ikeda, Masataka, Fujii, Kana, Ide, Tomomi, Kishi, Takuya, Sunagawa, Kenji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society for Medical and Biological Engineering 2014
• ISSN: 1347-443X; 1881-4379
• DOI: 10.11239/jsmbe.52.O-548

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) unloads LV and exerts better outcome in both acute coronary syndrome and severe heart failure. In this study, we investigate how the degree of LVAD support impacts on the hemodynamics and oxygen consumption of left ventricle. Methods/Results: We used 5 dogs and changed LVAD support at 3 levels, no support, Partial (LV remains ejecting) and Total (total LVAD dependent circulation). Mean aortic pressure were not different among 3 groups, while peak systolic pressure of LV reduced in Total (108±8.6 vs 102±3.3 vs 42±11mmHg, p<0.05). The pressure-volume area (PVA) indicating oxygen consumption of LV significantly reduced in Partial, while markedly reduced in Total (2040±632 vs 1787±547 vs 487±160 ml ×mmHg, p<0.05). Conclusions: Total unloading minimizes oxygen consumption of left ventricle. Appropriate unloading minimizes oxygen consumption and enables us to maximize the beneficial effect of LVAD in heart disease.