title: Extreme heart makeover: understanding mechanical circulatory support.
abstract: Learn about ventricular assist devices and total artificial hearts and how they affect patient care.
authors.affiliation: Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Dawn M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D004630:Emergencies; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006354:Heart, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment