PNEUMATIC ARTIFICIAL HEART DRIVER PARAMETER EFFECTS ON THE RATE OF PRESSURE CHANGE ((+) DP/DT MAX)

Abstract

The aim of the research was to investigate the effects of three parameters of the artificial heart on the (+) dP/dt max. The study was conducted using a mock circulation which was connected to an artificial heart. The data were collected using the COMDU software developed for the computer which monitors the artificial heart. Stepwise regression analysis was utilized to test the three hypotheses. Two of the null hypotheses for the study could not be rejected, as the independent variable did not significantly affect (+) dP/dt max. Although the third hypothesis was accepted, the results were not clinically significant. Limitations in the study were multicollinearity among the independent variables, small sample size, and the inability of the mock circulation to represent human responses.