Effect of LVAD outflow conduit insertion angle on flow through the native aorta.

Background And Aim: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of surgical anastomosis configuration of the aortic outflow conduit (AOC) from a continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) on the flow fields in the aorta using CFD simulations. The geometry of the surgical integration of the LVAD is an important factor in the flow pattern that develops both in series (aortic valve closed, all flow through LVAD) and in parallel (heart pumping in addition to LVAD).

Methods: CFD models of the AOC junctions simulate geometry as cylindrical tubes that intersect at angles ranging from 30 degrees to 90 degrees.