Numerical Simulations for Better Design of Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs)

Abstract: Reduced ejection capacity of the human heart's ventricles is a challenge for healthcare. For severe cases, cardiac transplantation is the best solution but is limited by donor organ availability. Left ventricular assist devices can be used to bridge the time to transplantation or even as a long-term solution. The design challenge for ventricular assist devices is to provide the required hemodynamics while assuring hemocompatibility and avoiding blood damage. Fluid dynamic simulations can be used to understand the complex flow phenomena and optimise fluid-flow machinery subjected to pulsatile boundary conditions. The latest results from the collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna are presented, showing the development of the numerical methodologies employed.