| Start Date: | 12/8/2016 | Start Time: | 4:00 PM |
| End Date: | 12/8/2016 | End Time: | 6:00 PM |
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Event Description
BIOMED Master's Thesis Defense
Title:
Externally Applied Pneumatic Compression as a Therapy for Fontan Patients: A Comfort Level Assessment on Adults
Speaker:
Tiffany Tse, MS Candidate, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Advisor:
Amy Throckmorton, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Abstract:
Single ventricular defects of the heart occur in 5 out of 100,000 live births. This type of congenital heart defect does not provide a sustainable circulatory system for the patients affected. Starting at infancy, patients undergo a three-part surgical paradigm to create a circulation necessary for survival. The patients who complete the surgical paradigm are known to have attained a Fontan circulation or physiology. Although the Fontan circulation allows patients to survive, this man-made physiology is associated with complications such as exercise intolerance, low cardiac output, cardiac arrhythmias, and protein-loss enteropathy. In addition, Fontan patients are at high risk to develop premature congenital heart failure (CHF).
Currently, there are no non-invasive solutions to alleviate risks and complications associated with a failing Fontan. The long-term objective of this research is to study the potential benefits of externally applied compression on patients with the Fontan circulation. In particular, the application of external compression in a pulsatile fashion to the lower extremities may imitate the pumping action that results from the contraction and extension of musculature during exercise to augment blood flow. The purpose of this study is to introduce externally applied compression as a non-invasive means to augment blood flow and venous return from the lower extremities to the heart, ideally improving ventricular filling and thus, cardiac output. This particular study aims to better understand PCD technology and the compression settings best tolerated by adults with a normal cardiovascular circulation.
The NormaTec Pneumatic Compression Device (PCD) was used in an IRB approved study on healthy adult subjects (n=25) to assess the comfort level of predetermined magnitude and frequency settings of the device. Five different combinations varying in magnitude (mmHg) and frequency (Hz) of compression were applied on each subject. The universal pain scale (1 to 10) was used to rate subject comfort and an Exit Interview Survey was conducted after each treatment to evaluate subject feedback. Findings concluded that pain scale responses varied among subjects. Based on the Exit Interview Survey results, the externally applied compression was well received with minimal pain and discomfort. Future studies intend to investigate the effects of pneumatic compression on Fontan patients. |
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Location:
Bossone Research Center, Room 709, located at 32nd and Market Streets. |
Audience:
Undergraduate StudentsGraduate StudentsFacultyStaff |
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