MIT Develops Test to Predict Patient Response to Heart Pumps

A new study by MIT researchers introduces a test to better predict how heart attack patients will react to mechanical pumps, aiming to improve treatment outcomes.

• MIT researchers have developed a test to predict how patients with cardiogenic shock will respond to ventricular assist devices (VADs).
• The test is based on understanding the interaction between mechanical pumps and the body's physiology, potentially improving device utility and patient outcomes.
• The imbalance between the left and right ventricles, a common issue with VADs, can now be better anticipated thanks to the study's findings.
• The test measures pulmonary vascular compliance and adaptability, offering a dynamic way to assess patient response to left ventricle assistance.
• The research, funded by national health institutes and Abiomed, could lead to more informed decision-making and broader use of VADs in treating heart attack patients.

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