Few therapeutic alternatives exist for patients with a failing single ventricle physiology. To address this need, this thesis project investigated two new therapeutic alternatives, which sought to positively augment the Fontan hemodynamics. The first modality introduced a non-invasive method of external pressure application to the lower extremities. A clinical study (n=2) was conducted, and results indicated an increase in flow as a consequence to an increase in transmural pressure in the lower extremities. The second modality investigated a minimally invasive blood pump. Numerical analyses of the pump were performed to examine hydraulic performance under physiologic conditions. The pump produced pressure rises of 1 to 25 mmHg over flows of 1 to 4 LPM, has a blood damage index less than 1% and was also found to successfully augment the hydraulic energy of the Fontan physiology. This work resulted in substantial progress to develop both modalities and address a significant human health problem.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:vcu.edu/oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-3055 |
| Date | 22 April 2010 |
| Creators | Bhavsar, Sonya |
| Publisher | VCU Scholars Compass |
| Source Sets | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | © The Author |
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