Left ventricular oxygen consumption and organ blood flow distribution during pulsatile ventricular assist.

One goal of left ventricular assistance is the reduction of left ventricular myocardial oxygen consumption while delivering adequate organ blood flow. The effect of assist device operation control mode and uptake cannulation method on the achievement of this goal was studied in six acutely prepared calves with healthy hearts. All combinations of left ventricular assistance significantly reduced the myocardial oxygen consumption; the reduction was independent of control mode. During ventricular assistance, regional organ blood flow distribution and myocardial endocardial/epicardial blood flow ratio were not different from values during the control, unassisted condition. Regardless of the left ventricular assist device uptake method or operational control mode, significant reduction in myocardial oxygen consumption was achieved while maintaining organ blood flow distribution.