Afterload device for heart evaluation

An afterload device for providing an afterload to an outflow fluid flow expelled from a ventricle of a beating heart, comprising:

• a first connector for connecting the afterload device to a ventricle of the heart for receiving the outflow fluid flow expelled by the ventricle;
• an afterload body for receiving the outflow fluid flow from the ventricle;
• a valve body for forming a first resistor having an adjustable first resistance and for influencing upon the outflow fluid flow through the afterload body;
• a control device for receiving input data and arranged to adjust the first resistor to have at the start of a systolic phase a first conductance, which increases during a first part of the systolic phase followed by a decrease of conductance during a second part of the systolic phase;
• a second connector for providing a second fluid flow to the first connection between the afterload device and the ventricle whereby the second fluid flow, during a diastolic phase is divided in a third fluid flow towards the ventricle and a fourth fluid flow through the resistor;
• a pump for providing said second fluid flow;
• pressure sensors and/or flow sensors for measuring pressures and/or flow rates within at least one of:
• atrium, ventricle, input of the afterload device, output of the afterload device, first or second fluid flows;
• position meters for measuring valve body position.