Arteriolar blood flow pulsatility in a patient before and after implantation of an axial flow pump

In a patient with end stage ischemic heart failure scheduled for implantation of an axial flow pump small arteriolar flow pattern was recorded using a novel intravital microscope. Preoperative arteriolar blood flow velocity was highly pulsatile, ranging from about 7 to 16 mm per second in a 12.8 mu m diameter arteriole. After implantation of the pump, this pulsatility was abrogated and arteriolar blood flow velocity changed instantaneously with changes in pump speed (eg, 2 mm/s at 5,000 rpm vs; 3.5 mm/s at 8,000 rpm in an 8.9 mu m diameter arteriole). This lack of flow velocity oscillations may have profound long-term effects on shear stress regulated arteriolar remodeling.