title: Mechanical Circulatory Support for the Failing Heart: Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heart transplantation remains the definitive therapy for patients with advanced heart failure; however, owing to limited donor organ availability and long wait times, continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become standard therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarizes the history, progression, function, and basic management of LVADs. Additionally, we provide some clinical pearls and important caveats for managing this unique patient population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Currently, the most common LVADs being implanted in the United States are second- and third-generation devices, the HeartMate II (Thoratec Corp., St. Jude Medical) and the HeartWare HVAD (HeartWare International, Inc.). A newer third-generation pump, the HeartMate III (Thoratec Corp., St. Jude Medical), is designed to create an artificial pulse and is currently under investigation in the United States.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LVAD use is promising, will continue to grow, and has become standard therapy for advanced heart failure as a bridge to recovery, as destination therapy, and as a bridge to transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Joseph A R
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Englert
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA ; The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Selim R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Krim
keywords: Heart-assist devices; heart failure