title: Devices as destination therapy.
abstract: The use of circulatory support as destination therapy has been a goal for the treatment of endstage heart failure for several decades. Current investigations are evaluating several circulatory pumps with that particular objective. With continued modification of design, the current and future pumps will become more reliable and provide improved quality of life to patients in need of mechanical circulatory assistance. The new pumps on the horizon specifically address reliability, size, and cost, and are based on the centrifugal system. These devices use the Maglev (Magnetic Levitation) concept that allows for frictionless pumping, low thrombogenicity, minimal noise, and increased durability. Further research with this goal in mind and support from the federal government will be the key to the future use of circulatory assistance as destination therapy for heart failure patients. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of these devices will need to be maintained as the technology improves, as in any new technology that confronts a more intuitive option like the native heart.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University-New York Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Eugene L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Kukuy
authors.forename: Mehmet C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Oz
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Yoshifumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Naka
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004867:Equipment Design; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection