Hemodynamics and Therapies
Ventricular Assist Devices
A ventricular assist device (VAD) is an electromechanical device for assisting cardiac circulation, which is used either to partially or to completely replace the function of a failing heart. The function of VADs is different from that of artificial cardiac pacemakers; some are for short-term use, typically for patients recovering from myocardial infarction (heart attack) and for patients recovering from cardiac surgery; some are for long-term use (months to years to perpetuity), typically for patients suffering from advanced heart failure.
Video: FDA Benchmark showing a model of a model centrifugal blood pump.
Valve Implants
The incidence of valvular heart diseases (VHD) in aging populations is increasing dramatically and is becoming a serious health burden. Although the majority of patients are treated effectively by various surgical or interventional methods, there is a large need for improving our understanding of disease mechanisms (knowledge gain) and precision treatment planning (clinical benefit), also with regard to significant gender differences prevalent in VHD.