Abstract
Optimizing the procedure of weaning the left ventricle from a left ventricular assist device requires the determination of the momentaneous condition of the left ventricle. In sheep, a method was developed to momentaneously quantify the left ventricular condition. The left ventricular pump condition was quantified by the time-varying parameters elastance and resistance. They were determined from perturbations in the left ventricular pressure of two subsequent beats induced by changes in flow of the assist device. The end-diastolic volume of the ventricle was estimated without directly measuring ventricular volume. Maximum elastance and resistance were 201.3 ± 32.7 [Palmi] and 12.3 ± 1.6 [Pa·s/ml], respectively (mean ± SE). The ventricular time constant, defined by the ratio of resistance to elastance, was 84.6 ± 17.1 [ms] (man ± SE).
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