Computers in biology and medicine
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Left Ventricular Assist Device is used for recovery in patients with heart failure and is supposed to increase total cardiac output, systemic arterial pressure and to decrease left atrial pressure. Aim of our computer simulation was to assess the influence of Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) on chosen haemodynamic parameters in the presence of ventilatory support. The software package used for this simulation reproduces, in stationary conditions, the heart and the circulatory system in terms of pressure and volume relationships. ⋯ Our simulation showed that positive thoracic pressure generated by mechanical ventilation of the lungs dramatically changes left atrial and pulmonary arterial pressures and should be considered when assessing LVAD effectiveness. Pathological changes of systemic arterial resistance may have a considerable effect on these parameters, especially when LVAD is applied simultaneously with mechanical ventilation. Cardiac output, systemic arterial and right atrial pressures are less affected by changes of thoracic pressure in cases of heart pathology.