Dynamic response of the pulmonary circulation in a continuous flow artificial heart system

Pulmonary circulation dynamics is important when considering bi-ventricular assist devices (BiVAD) or total artificial heart (TAH) systems, and in investigating the mechanism of atrial suction in order to design better control algorithms. In this study, we investigated pulmonary circulation dynamics in a continuous flow artificial heart system by performing acute tests on a mature goat. By varying the right pump speed, we were able to observe the dynamic response of the left atrial pressure (LAP) and simulate conditions that result in atrial suction. We were able to measure the time constant of the LAP response to changes in right pump output in the TAH configuration. These results may prove useful in the design of a new mock circulatory system that incorporates the dynamics of the pulmonary circulation, and in the improvement of existing control algorithms to prevent atrial wall suction.