Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39871030›Full record

ArticleCardiovascular engineering and technology2025

Design and Validation of a High-Fidelity Left Atrial Cardiac Simulator for the Study and Advancement of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

Keegan Mendez, Manisha Singh, Patrick Willoughby, Beatrice Ncho, Aileen Liao, Susan Su, Megan Lim, Elijah Lee, Mohamad Alkhouli, Hasan Alarouri and 1 more

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in Cardiovascular engineering and technology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Keegan Mendez *Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, Cambridge, USA.
Manisha Singh *Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, Cambridge, USA.
Patrick WilloughbyBoston Scientific Corporation, MN, Maple Grove, USA.
Beatrice NchoBoston Scientific Corporation, MN, Maple Grove, USA.
Aileen LiaoInstitute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, Cambridge, USA.
Susan SuInstitute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, Cambridge, USA.
Megan LimInstitute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, Cambridge, USA.
Elijah LeeInstitute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, Cambridge, USA.
Mohamad AlkhouliDepartment of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo College of Medicine, MN, Rochester, USA.
Hasan AlarouriDepartment of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo College of Medicine, MN, Rochester, USA.
Ellen T RocheInstitute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, Cambridge, USA. etr@mit.edu.ORCID 0000-0002-8952-2993

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common chronic cardiac arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke, primarily due to thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices offer an alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention. However, the complex and variable anatomy of the LAA presents significant challenges to device design and deployment. Current benchtop models fail to replicate both anatomical variability and physiological hemodynamics, limiting their utility. This study introduces a novel left atrial cardiac simulator that incorporates patient-derived LAA models within a benchtop circulatory flow loop, enabling high-fidelity LAAO device testing and development.

methodsA rigid, patient-derived left atrium (LA) model was 3D printed from segmented MRI data and modified to accommodate attachment of patient-specific LAA models. A library of LAA geometries was fabricated using silicone casting techniques to replicate the mechanical properties of native tissue. The LA-LAA model was integrated into a circulatory flow loop equipped with a pulsatile pump, pressure sensors, and flow probes, allowing real-time hemodynamic analysis. System tunability was demonstrated by varying heart rate, stroke volume, resistance, and compliance to simulate physiological and pathological conditions.

resultsThe simulator accurately replicated LA pressure and flow waveforms, closely approximating physiological conditions. Changes in heart rate, stroke volume, and compliance effectively modulated LAP and LA inflow before and after LAAO. Distinct pressure and flow waveforms were observed with different LAA geometries. Hemodynamic analysis revealed increased left atrial pulse pressure after occlusion, with the greatest increase occurring after complete exclusion of the LAA. The simulator facilitated the evaluation of LAAO device performance, including metrics such as seal and PDL, and served as an effective training tool for iterative device deployment and recapture with visual and imaging-guided feedback.

conclusionsThe left atrial cardiac simulator offers a highly tunable and realistic platform for testing and developing LAAO devices. It also serves as an effective procedural training tool, allowing for the simulation of patient-specific anatomical and hemodynamic conditions. By enabling these advanced simulations, the simulator enhances pre-procedural planning, device sizing, and placement. This innovation represents a significant step toward advancing personalized medicine in atrial fibrillation management and improving LAAO outcomes.

Indexed as

Atrial AppendageAtrial FibrillationAtrial Function, LeftCardiac CatheterizationModels, AnatomicModels, CardiovascularPatient-Specific ModelingHemodynamicsHumansPrinting, Three-DimensionalCardiac simulatorCirculatory flow loopLAALAAO

Identifiers

PMID39871030
PMCPMC12129853

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.