%0 Journal Article
%T An in silico study of the effects of left ventricular assist device on right ventricular function and inter-ventricular interaction.
%A Fan L
%A Choy JS
%A Lee S
%A Campbell KS
%A Wenk JF
%A Kassab GS
%A Burkhoff D
%A Lee LC
%J Artif Organs
%V 47
%N 12
%D 2023 Dec 25
%M 37746896
%F 2.663
%R 10.1111/aor.14649
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is associated with a high incidence of right ventricular (RV) failure, which is hypothesized to be caused by the occurring inter-ventricular interactions when the LV is unloaded. Factors contributing to these interactions are unknown.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We used computer modeling to investigate the impact of the HeartMate 3 LVAD on RV functions. The model was first calibrated against pressure-volume (PV) loops associated with a heart failure (HF) patient and validated against measurements of inter-ventricular interactions in animal experiments. The model was then applied to investigate the effects of LVAD on (1) RV chamber contractility indexed by   V 60    derived from its end-systolic PV relationship, and (2) RV diastolic function indexed by   V 20    derived from its end-diastolic PV relationship. We also investigated how septal wall thickness and regional contractility affect the impact of LVAD on RV function.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The impact of LVAD on RV chamber contractility is small at a pump speed lower than 4k rpm. At a higher pump speed between 4k and 9k rpm, however, RV chamber contractility is reduced (by ~3% at 6k rpm and ~10% at 9k rpm). The reduction of RV chamber contractility is greater with a thinner septal wall or with a lower myocardial contractility at the LV free wall, septum, or RV free wall.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>RV chamber contractility is reduced at a pump speed higher than 4k rpm, and this reduction is greater with a thinner septal wall or lower regional myocardial contractility. Findings here may have clinical implications in identifying LVAD patients who may suffer from RV failure.