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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
07:39

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock

Published on: August 16, 2021

[Left ventricular assist devices in chronic therapy of heart failure. Indication, results, risks]

Anna L Meyer1, Martin Strüber

  • 1Klinik für Herz-, Thorax-, Transplantations- und Gefässchirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule, Hannover.

Herz
|April 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) offer improved quality of life for heart failure patients. Axial flow pumps are replacing older pulsatile devices, enhancing mechanical circulatory support.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Mechanical Circulatory Support

Context:

  • Heart failure management is evolving with advanced therapeutic options.
  • Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) represent a significant advancement in treating end-stage heart failure.
  • Current trends show a shift from pulsatile LVADs to more efficient axial flow pumps.

Purpose:

  • To review the current state and advancements in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for heart failure therapy.
  • To highlight the advantages of mechanical circulatory support over conservative medical management.
  • To discuss the evolving role and increasing importance of LVADs in clinical practice.

Summary:

  • Three generations of LVADs exist, with axial flow pumps increasingly adopted over pulsatile models.
  • LVADs serve as bridge to transplantation, bridge to recovery, or destination therapy for heart failure patients.
  • Mechanical support via LVADs demonstrates superiority to medical therapy and improves patient quality of life.

Impact:

  • LVADs significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from heart failure.
  • The continuous improvement of LVAD technology is expanding their therapeutic applications.
  • LVADs are becoming a cornerstone therapy, increasingly vital in the comprehensive management of heart failure.

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