阅读说明：本技术 Vad患者的map估计 (MAP estimation for VAD patients ) 是由 C·雷耶斯 F·卡萨斯 于 2019-09-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种确定具有植入式血泵的患者的平均动脉压指数的方法,所述方法包括：确定泵速度和泵流量值；相对于泵损耗恒定值,分析所述泵速度和所述泵流量值；基于相对于所述泵损耗值对所述泵速度和所述泵流量值的分析,在心动周期的收缩期期间确定移植物液压阻力值；基于经确定的移植物液压阻力值,在心动周期的舒张期期间确定平均动脉压指数；比较所述患者的平均动脉压指数与平均动脉压指数范围；以及当所述平均动脉压指数相对于平均动脉压指数范围变化时,生成警报。(A method of determining a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump, the method comprising: determining pump speed and pump flow values; analyzing the pump speed and the pump flow value with respect to a constant value of pump loss; determining a graft hydraulic resistance value during a systolic phase of a cardiac cycle based on an analysis of the pump speed and the pump flow value relative to the pump loss value; determining a mean arterial pressure index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the determined graft hydraulic resistance value; comparing the patient's mean arterial pressure index to a range of mean arterial pressure indices; and generating an alert when the mean arterial pressure index changes relative to a mean arterial pressure index range.)

1. A control circuit for an implantable blood pump, the control circuit configured to determine a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump, the control circuit having a processing circuit configured to:

determining pump speed and pump flow values;

analyzing the pump speed and the pump flow value at least partially against a pump loss constant value;

determining a graft hydraulic resistance value during a systolic phase of a cardiac cycle based on an analysis of the pump speed and the pump flow value relative to the constant value of pump loss;

determining a mean arterial pressure index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the determined graft hydraulic resistance value;

comparing the mean arterial pressure index of the patient to a mean arterial pressure index range; and is

Generating an alert when the mean arterial pressure index changes relative to a mean arterial pressure index range.

2. The circuit of claim 1, wherein analyzing the pump speed and the pump flow value relative to the pump loss constant value comprises dividing the pump speed by the pump flow value and subtracting the pump loss constant value therefrom.

3. The circuit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine a ventricular pressure of the patient, and analyze the determined ventricular pressure of the patient relative to the graft hydraulic resistance value, the pump speed, the pump flow value, and the pump loss constant value.

4. The circuit of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine a ventricular pressure of the patient using a pressure sensor.

5. The circuit of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine a ventricular pressure of the patient based on a ventricular pressure waveform estimate.

6. The circuit of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pump loss constant value is associated with a pressure loss of the blood pump.

7. The circuit of any of claims 1-6, wherein the control circuit is further configured to establish the range of mean arterial pressure indices based on the mean arterial pressure indices measured during a plurality of time periods.

8. The circuit of any one of claims 1-7, wherein determining the graft hydraulic resistance value includes dividing the pump speed by the pump flow value and subtracting a pump loss constant value.

9. The circuit of any of claims 1-8, wherein the graft hydraulic resistance value is external to the blood pump.

Technical Field

The present technology relates generally to blood pumps, and more particularly to a method of determining a mean arterial pressure index in a patient having an implantable blood pump.

Background

Implantable blood pumps include a pumping mechanism that moves blood from the heart to other parts of the body. For example, the pumping mechanism may be a centrifugal flow pump, such as manufactured by Heart medical Inc (HeartWare, Inc., of Miami lake, Florida, USA)Pump. In operation, the blood pump draws blood from a source, such as the right ventricle, left ventricle, right atrium, or left atrium of a patient's heart, and pushes the blood into an artery, such as the patient's ascending aorta or peripheral artery.

Typically, diseased patients receive mean arterial pressure ("MAP") measurements in an effort to manage and prevent medical complications. MAP is generally defined as the average pressure of a patient's arteries during a cardiac cycle and may be obtained based on the patient's diastolic and systolic pressures. However, for patients having implantable blood pumps, it is often difficult to determine and/or estimate MAP and MAP trends associated therewith because one or more hydraulic parameters external to the implantable blood pump are unknown.

Disclosure of Invention

The technology of the present disclosure relates generally to methods of determining a mean arterial pressure index in a patient having an implantable blood pump.

In one aspect, a method of determining a mean arterial pressure index for a patient having an implantable blood pump. The method includes determining pump speed and pump flow values. The pump speed and pump flow values are analyzed in part relative to a pump loss constant. The graft hydraulic resistance value is determined during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on an analysis of the pump speed and pump flow values relative to the constant value of pump loss. The mean arterial pressure index is determined during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the determined graft hydraulic resistance value. The mean arterial pressure index of the patient is compared to a range of mean arterial pressure indices. An alarm is generated when the mean arterial pressure index changes relative to the mean arterial pressure index range.

In another aspect, analyzing the pump speed and pump flow value relative to the pump loss constant value includes dividing the pump speed by the pump flow value and subtracting the pump loss constant value therefrom.

In another aspect, the method includes determining a patient's ventricular pressure, and analyzing the determined patient's ventricular pressure relative to a graft hydraulic resistance value, a pump speed, a pump flow value, and a pump loss constant value.

In another aspect, the method includes determining a ventricular pressure of the patient using a pressure sensor.

In another aspect, the method includes determining a ventricular pressure of the patient based on the ventricular pressure waveform estimate.

In another aspect, the constant value of pump loss is associated with the pressure loss of the blood pump for a given pump flow rate.

In another aspect, the method includes establishing a range of mean arterial pressure indices based on mean arterial pressure indices measured during a plurality of time periods.

In one aspect, a method of determining a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump comprises: based on the pump speed, the pump flow value, and the pump loss constant value, a graft hydraulic resistance value is determined during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. The mean arterial pressure index is calculated during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the graft hydraulic resistance value. The pump parameter adjustment is performed in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from the mean arterial pressure index range. In another aspect, determining the graft hydraulic resistance value includes dividing the pump speed by the pump flow value and subtracting the pump loss constant value.

In another aspect, the method includes determining a patient's ventricular pressure, and analyzing the determined patient's ventricular pressure relative to the graft hydraulic resistance value.

In another aspect, the method includes determining a ventricular pressure of the patient using at least one of the group consisting of a pressure sensor and a ventricular pressure waveform estimate.

In another aspect, the method includes performing a second pump parameter adjustment in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from the mean arterial pressure index range, the second pump parameter adjustment being different from the pump parameter adjustment.

In another aspect, the method includes performing a therapeutic response in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from a mean arterial pressure index range.

In another aspect, the graft hydraulic resistance value is external to the blood pump.

In another aspect, the method includes generating an alert in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from the mean arterial pressure index range.

In another aspect, the constant value of pump loss is associated with a loss of pump pressure.

In one aspect, a system for determining a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump includes an implantable blood pump having an impeller. A controller is coupled to the blood pump and includes a control circuit configured to determine a graft hydraulic resistance value during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the pump speed, the pump flow value, and the pump loss constant value, calculate a mean arterial pressure index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the graft hydraulic resistance value, and perform a pump parameter adjustment in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from a mean arterial pressure index range.

In another aspect, the graft hydraulic resistance value is external to the blood pump.

In another aspect, the control circuit is configured to generate an alarm in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from a mean arterial pressure index range.

In another aspect, the control circuit is configured to perform a second pump parameter adjustment in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from the mean arterial pressure index range, the second pump parameter adjustment being different from the pump parameter adjustment.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Drawings

A more complete understanding of the present invention and the attendant advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary blood pump constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a power supply and controller coupled to the blood pump of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blood pump of FIG. 1 implanted within a patient and coupled to the patient's heart using a graft;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a flow waveform, a ventricular pressure waveform, and an aortic pressure waveform according to the present invention; and

fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of determining a mean arterial pressure index for a patient having a blood pump implanted in the patient.

Detailed Description

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus, systems, and method steps related to determining a mean arterial pressure ("MAP") index in a patient having an implantable blood pump. Accordingly, the apparatus, system, and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as "first" and "second," "top" and "bottom," and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the embodiments described herein, the joint terms "in communication with … …," and the like, may be used to indicate electronic or data communication, which may be accomplished through physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signals, infrared signals, or optical signals, for example. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various components may interoperate and that modifications and variations are possible to enable electronic and data communications.

It should be understood that the various aspects disclosed herein may be combined in different combinations than those specifically presented in the description and drawings. It will also be understood that certain acts or events of any of the processes or methods described herein can be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or omitted entirely, depending on the example (e.g., all described acts or events may not be necessary for performing the techniques). Additionally, for clarity, while certain aspects of the disclosure are described as being performed by a single module or unit, it should be understood that the techniques of the disclosure may be performed by a combination of units or modules associated with, for example, a medical device.

In one or more examples, the techniques described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. The computer-readable medium may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium corresponding to a tangible medium such as a data storage medium (e.g., RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer).

The instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, an Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Thus, the term "processor," as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other physical structure suitable for implementing the described techniques. Furthermore, the techniques may be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in fig. 1 a blood pump constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application and designated generally as "10". The blood pump 10 is provided for exemplary purposes only, as the method of determining a MAP index described herein may be used with various types of blood pumps. The general arrangement of the blood pump assembly may be similar to that described in U.S. patent nos. 7,997,854 and 8,512,013Pump is the same or similar, and the disclosures of these U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. For example, the blood pump 10 may include: a housing 12 having a chamber 14; an inflow cannula 16 including a pressure sensor 17 coupled thereto; and extends through the flowThe long longitudinal axis 18 of the casing. The closed flow path extends from the inflow cannula 16 to the pump outlet 19 along an axis 18 from an upstream direction to a downstream direction (indicated by arrows U and D, respectively). A generally disc-shaped ferromagnetic impeller 20 is mounted within the chamber 14 between a first ceramic disc 22 and a second ceramic disc 24 for rotation about the axis 18.

The blood pump 10 may be arranged such that the impeller 20 is suspended within the housing 12 by non-contact bearings (e.g., electromagnetic bearings, hydrodynamic bearings, or a combination of both). For example, the blood pump 10 may include a first stator 26 and a second stator 28 disposed within the housing 12. A first stator 26 may be located adjacent to first ceramic disk 22 and a second stator 28 may be located adjacent to second ceramic disk 24. In operation, a voltage may be applied to one or more coils of the first stator 26 and/or the second stator 28 to rotate the impeller 20 to propel blood. As shown in fig. 2, the electrical connector 30 may supply voltage to the coil from a power source 32, such as an external AC power source, an external battery, an implanted battery, or any combination thereof, coupled to or stored within a controller 34. The blood pump 10, the power supply 32, and the controller 34 form a system for operating the blood pump 10 and determining the MAP index 10 of a patient having an implanted blood pump.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the first and second stators 26, 28 may operate in combination or independently of one another and may each form part of a sensorless three-phase brushless direct current ("BLDC") motor 36. In one configuration, the coils of the first and second stators 26, 28 are in the form of three motor windings controlled by respective different phases U, V, W of power input for three-phase motor control. The BLDC motor includes an inverter circuit for converting a DC input into a three-phase output. Alternatively, the blood pump 10 may receive an Alternating Current (AC) three-phase input. Examples of three-phase motor control methods and apparatus are provided in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. application nos. 62/271,278 and 15/710323, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary control circuit 38 coupled to the blood pump 10 that includes hardware and software for monitoring and controlling the start-up and subsequent operation of one or both motors 36. The control circuit 38 includes a processor 42, a memory 44, and an interface 46 for interfacing with the motor 36. The memory 44 stores information accessible to the processor 42, including instructions 48 that may be executed by the processor 42. The memory 44 also includes data 50 that can be retrieved, manipulated or stored by the processor 42. Further details associated with the control circuit 38 are provided in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. application No. 15/710323, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the instructions 48 stored in the memory 44 may include one or more sets or modules of instructions for performing certain operations. For example, the modules may include a motor control module 52 for controlling operation of the motor 36, a monitoring module 54 for monitoring operation of the motor 36, and/or a MAP index module 56 for executing a MAP index determination algorithm. Examples of motor control modules and monitoring modules may be found in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. application serial nos. 13/355,297, 13/951,302, 14/294,448, 14/950,467, 62/266,871, and 62/271,618, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. As understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, MAP is used to determine whether sufficient blood flow, pressure and resistance exist to supply blood to the major organs of a patient.

Referring now to fig. 3, the blood pump 10 may be coupled to the vascular system 58 of a patient, such as the aorta 60, by a graft 62 in the form of a tube, cannula, or the like, having a graft inlet 64 coupled to the pump outlet 19, and a graft outlet 66 coupled to the aorta 60. The graft 62 is a hydraulic resistance element that affects MAP, but may be difficult to estimate or quantify when the graft 62 is implanted in a patient and outside the blood pump 10. For example, when the pump flow is circulating through the graft 62, there is a pressure drop across the graft 62 from the graft inlet 64 to the graft outlet 66, which affects MAP. Thus, the MAP index determination algorithm takes into account pressure drop, anastomosis, movement of the graft 62, the position and angle of the graft 62 relative to the vasculature, and the like. Specifically, as explained in further detail below, the characteristics of the graft 62 are considered by determining a graft hydraulic resistance value based on an analysis of pump speed, pump flow value, pump loss, and pump performance.

Referring now to fig. 4, a graph is depicted showing a pump flow waveform "PF", a ventricular pressure waveform "VP", and an aortic pressure waveform "AP", which provide data for determining a MAP index for a patient. The region designated "region 1" corresponds to the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle, while the region designated "region 2" corresponds to the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. Data from the waveform in systole or diastole may be input to a MAP index determination algorithm to determine the MAP index of the patient.

Referring to fig. 5, a flow chart is provided that describes a process or method 68 for determining a MAP index for a patient having an implantable blood pump (e.g., the blood pump 10) implanted within the patient. The determined MAP index may be provided to a clinician for analysis of trends associated with changes in the patient's MAP. Such trends may help assess and provide therapy, adjust pump parameters, and the like. The order of the method steps may be varied and one or more steps may be added or omitted. The method may include continuously or periodically executing a MAP exponent algorithm via control circuit 38 of controller 34 (fig. 2) having an algorithm based on the graft resistance value and data from the pump flow waveform (fig. 4) independent of the preload pressure. For example, the method may be repeated at various intervals (e.g., 5 to 50 seconds for at least one minute, every 15 to 20 minutes, or another series of intervals).

In one configuration, the method 68 begins at step 70, which includes determining pump speed and pump flow values for the blood pump 10. For example, but not limiting of, the pump speed may be determined from the control circuit 38, and the pump flow value may be determined based on the current, the pump speed, and the viscosity of the blood. As shown in fig. 4, the pump flow value may be displayed in real time via a pump flow waveform indicative of the pump flow rate through the blood pump 10. Alternative methods of determining pump parameters are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Step 72 includes processing the pump speed and pump flow values through a transfer function that includes a pump loss constant value, wherein the pump loss constant value is a predetermined pressure constant associated with a known pressure loss characteristic of the blood pump 10.

At step 74, the method includes determining a graft hydraulic resistance value during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle (i.e., region 1 of fig. 4) based on an analysis of the pump speed and pump flow values, the pump hydraulic output, and the pump loss constant value. Graft hydraulic resistance values include the properties of the graft and hydraulic resistance described above. In terms of an algorithm, the analysis used to determine the graft hydraulic resistance value may be shown asWhere Ho (speed) is the cut-off pressure output of the pump at a given speed and is approximatelyWhere So is the pump scaling constant related to the pump cutoff pressure at a given speed (region 1), Rg equals the graft hydraulic resistance value, Q equals the pump flow value, and Kp equals the pump loss constant value.

At step 76, the method includes determining a MAP index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle (i.e., region 2 of FIG. 4) when the patient's aortic valve is closed based on the determined graft resistance value and the pump speed, pump loss constant value, and pump flow value. The MAP index algorithm may be expressed as Where MAP2 equals the MAP index. The MAP index may be displayed in various forms, such as a waveform on a display of the controller 34 or a remote display (not shown) with or without filtering.

Once the MAP index is determined, the method may proceed to step 78, which includes comparing the patient's MAP index to a MAP index range. The MAP index range is a range in which the MAP index of a patient is considered normal for an individual patient, taking into account the time of day, the activity of the patient, and the like. The comparison between the MAP index and the MAP index range may be performed by the control circuit 38 or another control circuit remote from the patient.

At step 80, control circuit 38 or a control circuit in a remote location generates an alarm when the MAP index changes relative to (i.e., outside of) the MAP index range. The alarm may be heard through a speaker (not shown), visible through a display (not shown) of the controller 34, a remote display, and so forth. Thus, a deviation of the MAP index from a MAP index range may indicate a need for diagnostic intervention or treatment. For example, MAP index deviations may cause a clinician or other treatment provider to perform pump parameter adjustments, such as speed adjustments, that affect pump flow to raise or lower a patient's blood pressure. A second pump parameter adjustment, different from the pump parameter adjustment, may be performed, such as adjusting the hematocrit setting of the controller 34 according to the hematocrit variation. In another example, a clinician may perform a therapeutic response, such as prescribing one or more medications based on data provided by a MAP index. To further assist in evaluating diagnostic interventions and/or treatment plans, control circuitry 38 may generate one or more MAP index reports that indicate changes in the MAP index over a selected period of time (such as days, weeks, months, etc.).

In one configuration, the method may include determining a ventricular pressure of the patient, i.e., a pressure in the left ventricle of the patient, based on the pressure sensor 17 (fig. 1) or based on a ventricular pressure waveform estimate. Thereafter, the method may continue to analyze the determined ventricular pressure of the patient with respect to the graft resistance value, the pump speed, the pump flow value, and the pump loss constant value. According to an algorithm, this determination can be shown as Wherein P is_aortaEqual to the pressure in the aorta, which indicates MAP.

Certain embodiments of the invention include:

example 1. a method of determining a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump, the method comprising:

determining pump speed and pump flow values;

analyzing the pump speed and pump flow values relative to the pump constant values;

determining a graft hydraulic resistance value during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on an analysis of the pump speed and the pump flow value relative to the pump constant value;

determining a mean arterial pressure index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the determined graft hydraulic resistance value;

comparing the patient's mean arterial pressure index to a range of mean arterial pressure indices; and

generating an alert when the mean arterial pressure index changes relative to a mean arterial pressure index range.

Embodiment 2. the method of embodiment 1, wherein analyzing the pump speed and the pump flow value relative to the pump loss constant value comprises dividing the pump speed by the pump flow value and subtracting a pump constant value therefrom.

Embodiment 3. the method of embodiment 1, further comprising determining a ventricular pressure of the patient, and analyzing the determined ventricular pressure of the patient relative to the graft hydraulic resistance value, the pump speed, the pump flow value, and the pump constant value.

Embodiment 4. the method of embodiment 3, further comprising determining a ventricular pressure of the patient using the pressure sensor.

Embodiment 5 the method of embodiment 3, further comprising determining a ventricular pressure of the patient based on the ventricular pressure waveform estimate.

Embodiment 6. the method according to embodiment 1, wherein the pump constant value is associated with a pressure loss of the blood pump.

Embodiment 7. the method of embodiment 1, further comprising establishing a mean arterial pressure index range based on the mean arterial pressure indices measured during a plurality of time periods.

Embodiment 8. a method of determining a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump, the method comprising:

determining a graft hydraulic resistance value during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the pump speed, the pump flow value, and the pump constant value;

calculating the mean arterial pressure index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on a graft hydraulic resistance value; and is

Performing a pump parameter adjustment in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from a mean arterial pressure index range.

Embodiment 9. the method of embodiment 8, wherein determining the graft hydraulic resistance value comprises dividing the pump speed by the pump flow value and subtracting the pump constant value.

Embodiment 10 the method of embodiment 8, further comprising determining a ventricular pressure of the patient, and analyzing the determined ventricular pressure of the patient relative to the graft hydraulic resistance value.

Embodiment 11 the method of embodiment 10, further comprising determining a ventricular pressure of the patient using at least one of the group consisting of a pressure sensor and a ventricular pressure waveform estimate.

Embodiment 12. the method according to embodiment 8, further comprising:

performing a second pump parameter adjustment in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from the mean arterial pressure index range, the second pump parameter adjustment being different from the pump parameter adjustment.

Embodiment 13. the method according to embodiment 8, further comprising: performing a therapeutic response in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from the mean arterial pressure index range.

Embodiment 14. the method of embodiment 8, wherein the graft hydraulic resistance value is external to the blood pump.

Embodiment 15. the method according to embodiment 8, further comprising: generating an alert in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from the mean arterial pressure index range.

Embodiment 16. the method of embodiment 8, wherein the pump constant value is associated with a loss of pump pressure.

Embodiment 17. a system for determining a mean arterial pressure index of a patient having an implantable blood pump, the system comprising:

an implantable blood pump comprising an impeller;

a controller coupled to the blood pump and including a control circuit configured to:

determining a graft hydraulic resistance value during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the pump speed, the pump flow value, and the pump constant value;

calculating the mean arterial pressure index during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle based on the graft hydraulic resistance value; and is

Performing a pump parameter adjustment in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from a mean arterial pressure index range.

Embodiment 18. the system of embodiment 17, wherein the graft hydraulic resistance value is external to the blood pump.

Embodiment 19. the system of embodiment 17, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an alarm in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from the mean arterial pressure index range.

Embodiment 20 the system of embodiment 17, wherein the control circuit is configured to perform a second pump parameter adjustment in response to the mean arterial pressure index deviating from the mean arterial pressure index range, the second pump parameter adjustment being different from the pump parameter adjustment.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.