Abstract 221: A Non-invasive Technique for Fast Assessment of Optimal LVAD Outflow Graft Implant Sites

We develop a novel noninvasive technique, named InVascular, for fast hemodynamic assessment of optimal LVAD (left ventricle assist device) outflow-graft (OG) implant suites. LVADs has been a proven and effective therapy for patients with severe end-stage heart failure. Due to the improved pump technology and better patient management, minimally invasive LVAD implantation has emerged as a paradigm shift for clinical surgical techniques. Appropriate OG insertion to either ascending aorta (a), descending thoracic aorta (b), or axillary artery (c) (Fig. 1) is critical in an LVAD surgery. We have recently invented a novel technique that integrates advanced computational modeling based on patient’s CT and ECHO images (Fig. 1d), with cutting-edge GPU (Graphic Processing Units) parallel computing technology to noninvasively quantify 4-D (time+space) flow (Fig. 1e) and pressure in the segment. Comparisons of flow and pressure among 3 OG locations (Fig. 1f) can guide an appropriate OG location for an LVAD implantation. Our results from one study case show that the OG location has important effects on flow in the ascending and descending aorta: OG locations (a) and (b) generate similar flow in the ascending aorta whereas in descending aorta OG location (a) results in larger flow than (b), which is consistent with results in public data. Meanwhile, we found that location (c) produces the smallest flow among the 3 locations in both ascending and descending aorta. Invascular can complete such assessment for an optimal OG site within 30 minutes after a patient’s imaging data are available, which is promising for clinical use in future.