Pulsating versus steady blood flow from a new artificial heart
Blood Trauma, Vascular Remodeling, and Vasoregulation with Total Body Continuous Versus Pulsatile Artificial Circulation
['FUNDING_R01'] · GEISINGER CLINIC · NIH-11166437
This project tests pulsating versus steady blood flow from a new total artificial heart to learn how each affects blood damage, blood vessels, and blood pressure for people with advanced heart failure.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | GEISINGER CLINIC (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DANVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11166437 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are using a new total artificial heart (BiVACOR) that can run either with steady flow or with pulsating flow made by changing the pump speed, and they will compare the two modes in long-term animal models. They will measure markers of blood trauma, examine arterial structure and remodeling, and test how blood vessels regulate pressure and tone. The team will also look for signs that pulsatility reduces bleeding, clots, diastolic hypertension, and stroke risk compared with non-pulsatile support. These animal findings would guide whether pulsatile settings could be safer and improve quality of life for people who need mechanical circulatory support.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with advanced, life-threatening heart failure who require ventricular assist devices or a total artificial heart would be the patients most likely to benefit from this line of work in the future.
Not a fit: Patients who do not need mechanical circulatory support or who cannot receive an artificial heart would not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to artificial heart devices or pump settings that reduce bleeding and clotting problems and protect blood vessels for people with severe heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Emerging work on creating pulsatility by modulating pump speed has shown promise in early studies, but full-body comparisons with the same device are novel and human evidence remains limited.
Where this research is happening
DANVILLE, UNITED STATES
- GEISINGER CLINIC — DANVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BARTOLI, CARLO R — GEISINGER CLINIC
- Study coordinator: BARTOLI, CARLO R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.