title: Circulatory assist devices in congestive heart failure.
abstract: This article discusses the use of mechanical circulatory assist devices to support patients who have developed heart failure that has become refractory to more conventional treatment. Included is a description of the various devices available, the respective advantages and disadvantages of each, and a general discussion of the indications for mechanical circulatory support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri.
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Votapka
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Pennington
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans