title: Left heart and biventricular bypass.
abstract: Various forms of circulatory assist devices are currently under investigation. Clinical use of ventricular bypass devices ranging from roller-pump-driven units to pneumatically powered VADs have been in use for several years. These devices are indicated for patients in cardiogenic shock following cardiac surgery or myocardial infarction when all other forms of conventional therapy have failed. Success, though modest, is encouraging in these patients with a dismal prognosis. An increasing role for the VAD may be found in supporting patients whose condition deteriorates while awaiting cardiac transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jorge
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Pae
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Pierce
mesh_terms: D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000401:mortality; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000628:therapy