Changes in muscle fiber orientation across the wall of the left ventricle (LV) cause the apex of the heart to turn 10–15 deg in opposition to its base during systole and are believed to increase stroke volume and lower wall stress in healthy hearts. Studies show that cardiac torsion is sensitive to various disease states, which suggests that it may be an important aspect of cardiac function. Modern imaging techniques have sparked renewed interest in cardiac torsion dynamics, but no work has been done to determine whether mechanically augmented apical torsion can be used to restore function to failing hearts. In this report, we discuss the potential advantages of this approach and present evidence that turning the cardiac apex by mechanical means can displace a clinically significant volume of blood from failing hearts. Computational models of normal and reduced-function LVs were created to predict the effects of applied apical torsion on ventricular stroke work and wall stress. These same conditions were reproduced in anesthetized pigs with drug-induced heart failure using a custom apical torsion device programmed to rotate over various angles during cardiac systole. Simulations of applied 90 deg torsion in a prolate spheroidal computational model of a reduced-function pig heart produced significant increases in stroke work (25%) and stroke volume with reduced fiber stress in the epicardial region. These calculations were in substantial agreement with corresponding in vivo measurements. Specifically, the computer model predicted torsion-induced stroke volume increases from 13.1 to 14.4 mL (9.9%) while actual stroke volume in a pig heart of similar size and degree of dysfunction increased from 11.1 to 13.0 mL (17.1%). Likewise, peak LV pressures in the computer model rose from 85 to 95 mm Hg (11.7%) with torsion while maximum ventricular pressures in vivo increased in similar proportion, from 55 to 61 mm Hg (10.9%). These data suggest that: (a) the computer model of apical torsion developed for this work is a fair and accurate predictor of experimental outcomes, and (b) supra-physiologic apical torsion may be a viable means to boost cardiac output while avoiding blood contact that occurs with other assist methods.
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October 2011
Research Papers
Cardiac Assist With a Twist: Apical Torsion as a Means to Improve Failing Heart Function
Dennnis R. Trumble,
Dennnis R. Trumble
Allegheny-Singer Research and the McGinnis Cardiovascular Institutes, Allegheny General Hospital
, West Penn Allegheny Health System, Pittsburgh, PA 15212; Biomedical Engineering Department, Carnegie Mellon University
, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 e-mail:
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Walter E. McGregor,
Walter E. McGregor
Allegheny-Singer Research and the McGinnis Cardiovascular Institutes, Allegheny General Hospital
, West Penn Allegheny Health System, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 e-mail:
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Roy C. P. Kerckhoffs,
Roy C. P. Kerckhoffs
Department of Bioengineering,
University of California San Diego
, La Jolla, CA 92093 e-mail:
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Lewis K. Waldman
Lewis K. Waldman
Insilicomed, Inc.
, 7825 Fay Avenue, Suite 200, La Jolla, CA 92037 e-mail:
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Dennnis R. Trumble
Allegheny-Singer Research and the McGinnis Cardiovascular Institutes, Allegheny General Hospital
, West Penn Allegheny Health System, Pittsburgh, PA 15212; Biomedical Engineering Department, Carnegie Mellon University
, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 e-mail:
Walter E. McGregor
Allegheny-Singer Research and the McGinnis Cardiovascular Institutes, Allegheny General Hospital
, West Penn Allegheny Health System, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 e-mail:
Roy C. P. Kerckhoffs
Department of Bioengineering,
University of California San Diego
, La Jolla, CA 92093 e-mail:
Lewis K. Waldman
Insilicomed, Inc.
, 7825 Fay Avenue, Suite 200, La Jolla, CA 92037 e-mail: J Biomech Eng. Oct 2011, 133(10): 101003 (10 pages)
Published Online: October 31, 2011
Article history
Received:
January 3, 2011
Accepted:
September 5, 2011
Online:
October 31, 2011
Published:
October 31, 2011
Citation
Trumble, D. R., McGregor, W. E., Kerckhoffs, R. C. P., and Waldman, L. K. (October 31, 2011). "Cardiac Assist With a Twist: Apical Torsion as a Means to Improve Failing Heart Function." ASME. J Biomech Eng. October 2011; 133(10): 101003. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4005169
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