A Particle Image Velocimetry Study of the Penn State 50cc Left Ventricular Assist Device: The Impact of Varying Heart Rate

Approximately 5.7 million Americans are afflicted with heart failure, with a reported 670,000 new diagnoses each year [1]. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) function as a bridge to transplant therapy for advanced staged heart failure patients awaiting a donor heart. A pulsatile 50cc LVAD, Figure 1, is currently under development for cardiac support of patients with limited chest cavity size. Although the 50cc LVAD is functional in assisting a failing ventricle, complications such as thrombus formation may limit long term usage.</jats:p