ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a literature review of cardiovascular system simulators applied for “in vitro” tests with assistance pumps and artificial heart. Although there are many simulators worldwide—far beyond those that will be presented, the concern of this chapter is to discuss some “better known” exploring the peculiar characteristics of each one of these tools in terms of operation and mode of activation. Additionally, at the end of the chapter, a hybrid simulator of the cardiovascular system that was developed at our research institution is presented in greater detail including its experimental evaluation. Such a simulator has been used for the development of research with circulatory assistance devices in our institution.
