The influence of pump rotation speed on hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen metabolism in left ventricular assist device support with aortic valve regurgitation

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) is a serious complication under left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. AR causes LVAD-left ventricular (LV) recirculation, which makes it difficult to continue LVAD support. However, the hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen metabolism of LVAD support with AR have not been clarified, especially, how pump rotation speed influences them. An animal model of LVAD with AR was newly developed, and how pump rotation speed influences hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen metabolism was examined in acute animal experiments. Five goats (55 ± 9.3 kg) underwent centrifugal type LVAD, EVAHEART implantation. The AR model was established by placing a vena cava filter in the aortic valve. Hemodynamic values and the myocardial oxygen consumption, delivery, and oxygen extraction ratio (O₂ER) were evaluated with changing pump rotation speeds with or without AR (AR+, AR−). AR+ was defined as Sellers classification 3 or greater. AR was successfully induced in five goats. Diastolic aortic pressure was significantly lower in AR+ than AR− (p = 0.026). Central venous pressure, mean left atrial pressure, and diastolic left ventricular pressure were significantly higher in AR+ than AR− (p = 0.010, 0.047, and 0.0083, respectively). Although systemic flow did not improve with increasing pump rotation speed, LVAD pump flow increased over systemic flow in AR+, which meant increasing pump rotation speed increased LVAD-LV recirculation and did not contribute to effective systemic circulation. O₂ER in AR− decreased with increasing pump rotation speed, but O₂ER in AR+ was hard to decrease. The O₂ER in AR+ correlated positively with the flow rate of LVAD-LV recirculation (p = 0.012). AR caused LVAD-LV recirculation that interfered with the cardiac assistance of LVAD support and made it ineffective to manage with high pump rotation speed.