title: Managing the failing heart: total circulatory assist--a case study.
abstract: Congestive heart failure remains one of the leading causes of cardiac death and disability. As pharmacological therapies have advanced, patients are living longer and more productive lives. However, at some point, these interventions begin to fail. Circulatory assist devices have revolutionized the management of patients with end-stage heart disease. These devices successfully bridge patients to cardiac transplantation. The Syncardia Total Artificial Heart provides biventricular support for the failing heart. This case study illustrates the challenges of caring for patients with such a device.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, 1250 East Marshall Street, Box 985871, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Charnetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: Sajitha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vijayan