Evaluation of the Intra Ventricular Flow Pattern for the Implantation of the Artificial Myocardium Using Information of the MRI Imaging

For the end stage heart failure, artificial heart and heart transplantation is the most important therapeutic candidates. Recently, development of the rotary blood pump has been performed in all over the world. However, there is always risks for thrombus formation because the artificial heart and ventricular assist devices were the blood pumps. Furthermore, blood pump system must be driven continuously after the implantation, because the stagnation of the blood flow must generate the thrombus. In Tohoku University, Totally Implantable Artificial myocardium system project had been started for the new candidates for the circulatory assistance. This system is placed outside of the natural heart, so there is no risk for thrombus formation. In this paper, New methodology of flow streamline imaging using MRI information was developed for the information of the Artificial myocardium implantation. Flow streamline imaging was embodied by the use of MRI information. Contribution of the left ventricular wall motion to the stream line was estimated, so useful information for the implantation of the artificial myocardium system was obtained. Useful information of the implantation may be obtained, if MRI imaging was performed before the clinical implantation of the artificial myocardium system.