Comparison of the effects of continuous and pulsatile left ventricular-assist devices on ventricular unloading using a cardiac electromechanics model

Left ventricular-assist devices (LVADs) are used to supply blood to the body of patients with heart failure. Pressure unloading is greater for counter-pulsating LVADs than for continuous LVADs. However, several clinical trials have demonstrated that myocardial recovery is similar for both types of LVAD. This study examined the contractile energy consumption of the myocardium with continuous and counter-pulsating LVAD support to ascertain the effect of the different LVADs on myocardial recovery. We used a three-dimensional electromechanical model of canine ventricles, with models of the circulatory system and an LVAD. We compared the left ventricular peak pressure (LVPP) and contractile ATP consumption between pulsatile and continuous LVADs. With the continuous and counter-pulsating LVAD, the LVPP decreased to 46 and 10%, respectively, and contractile ATP consumption decreased to 60 and 50%. The small difference between the contractile ATP consumption of these two types of LVAD may explain the comparable effects of the two types on myocardial recovery.