Characteristics of mixed venous oxygen saturation and physical activity as parameters for artificial heart control.

Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) and physical activity (PhyAc) are practical candidates as parameters of total artificial heart (TAH) control because SvO2 can be measured through a transparent blood pump housing with infrared rays and PhyAc can be calculated from signals of an accelerometer used for rate response pacemakers. Although the methods for measurement of the parameters have already been developed, characteristics of these parameters for TAH control, such as during exercise, are still unclear and were examined in this study. SvO2, cardiac output (CO), and PhyAc were measured as parameters. Multi-stage treadmill exercise tests were performed. Difference values (DVs) from the value at the start of exercise showed better correlation than did absolute values. Correlation coefficients between DV in CO and DV in SvO2 and between DV in CO and PhyAc were high at -0.82 and 0.72, while the time constants for the change of SvO2 and CO to the PhyAc change were 26 and 32 sec. Although the correlation coefficient between the CO and SvO2 was higher than that between CO and PhyAc, PhyAc responded more quickly to the speed change compared with the response of SvO2 and CO. It was concluded that SvO2 and PhyAc were useful parameters with different characteristics for TAH control during exercise.