An acoustic method for systematic ventricular assist device thrombus evaluation with a novel artificial thrombus model

摘要

BackgroundPump thrombosis (PT) is still one of the major adverse events in patients supported with left ventricular assist devices. Nowadays, thrombus detection relies on clinical parameters like reoccurring heart failure symptoms, on changes in pump power consumption, and on laboratory parameters such as increased LDH and hemolysis. Once detected PT is most often persistent and refractory to medical therapy. We therefore designed a novel, non-invasive acoustic method for early pump thrombus detection in an in vitro artificial thrombus model.