MRI based characterization of flow phenomena in Ventricular Assist Devices

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Michael Bock, since 4/2014
• Subject Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
• Term: from 2012 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 225526898

The use of ventricular assist devices (VAD) becomes more and more important as a therapeutical option for patients with terminal myocardial insufficiency. Despite an increasing amount of applications, VADs suffer from a high complication rate, such as secondary effects due to anticoagulation. Furthermore, there is no knowledge regarding the optimal positioning of the connection of the pumping system to the cardiovascular system. Therefore, detailed information about the hemodynamics of the cardiovascular system with its connected VAD and the derivable flow-based functional deficiency is of high interest. Thus, the central aim of this research project is the evaluation of different in-vitro model sytems with integrated VAD with regard to hemodynamic properties such as flow stability in combination with different boundary conditions und development of undesirable local perturbances (e.g. recirculation zones) in order to develop appropriate parameters for the functional characterization of the VAD-cardiovascular system. Therefore, realistic in-vitro model systems with different geometries will be established, which allow the analysis of local and global flow characteristics using flow-sensitive 4D MRI. Moreover, the link between changes in hemodynamics and surface conditions or coagulation parameters will be investigated.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Christoph Benk; Professor Dr. Friedhelm Beyersdorf; Professor Dr. Jürgen Hennig
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Bernd André Jung, until 4/2014