ObjectivesTo assess the interaction between a continuous flow pump (CFP) and the native ventricle (NV) when both pumps are giving a flow contribution. Methods and resultsThe pumping system, composed of NV and of CFP, is replaced by an equivalent pump (EP) with the same NV filling characteristics and heart rate. It is assumed that EP cardiac output is equal to the sum of NV and CFP flows and that its Emax is correlated to the CFP pump speed. Both the pumping system and EP are addressed with a closed loop lumped parameters cardiovascular model connected to a Heart Mate II (HM-II) CFP.The experiments were performed to:1: verify EP Emax correlation with CFP speed. Resulting correlation:∼0.98;2: verify EP parameters calculation accuracy, in comparison with the pumping system parameters for different values of peripheral resistance, Emax_NV, HR and CFP speed (8000–11000 RPM). Resulting average error: less than 4%;3: show how EP can be used to obtain the desired haemodynamic or energetic conditions, then feeding the results into the pumping system, so as to regulate CFP speed accordingly. ConclusionsEP merges the properties of the pumping system composed of NV and CFP into a single pulsatile pump. The described methodology can be a useful support to optimise both haemodynamic and energetic variables in the pumping system when, with the simultaneous presence of CFP and NV flows, flow distribution between the two pumps becomes a critical issue.