EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE OPTIMAL DRIVE CONDITION OF THE TOTAL ARTIFICIAL HEART FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF THE NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Abstract

In order to determine the optimal drive condition of total artificial heart, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were analysed by the use of power spectrum and coherence function. Two pneumatically actuated sac type ventricular assist devices were implanted, and after the both pump driving, natural heart was electrically fibrillated to constitute the biventricular bypass (BVB) type TAH model. After the left frank was opened, bipolar electrode was attached to the left renal sympathetic nerve. Values of the squared coherence between the arterial pressure and RSNA were measured. Largest peak coherency was observed when BVB was driven at the same frequency of the natural heart beat before fibrillation, suggesting that that this frequency was the optimal for the baroreflex system.