Analysis of the Preload and Afterload Sensitivity of the Sputnik Rotary Blood Pump

Resumo

The reaction of the Sputnik rotary blood pump to preload and afterload was analyzed. A mathematical model of the blood pump was suggested. The characteristics of the Sputnik pump were compared to those of the DuraHeart and INCOR commercial pump models. The effect of afterload on the pump capacity and preload sensitivity was analyzed. The preload sensitivity was shown to correlate with the shape of the head–capacity curves. It was demonstrated that the Sputnik pump had higher sensitivity to preload [mean value, (0.121 ± 0.0092) l·min^–1·mm Hg ^–1] because of the flatter head–capacity curve as compared to the DuraHeart and INCOR commercial pumps.