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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
Pulsatile left ventricular assist devices: what is the role in the modern era?
Pavan Atluri1, Michael A Acker
1Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Abstract:
With the widespread use of continuous-flow ventricular assist devices (VADs), the role of pulsatile VADs remain in question. In acute cardiogenic shock, pulsatile VADs maximize perfusion pressure, restore end organ perfusion, and maximally unload the pulmonary circulation and right heart. In addition, pulsatile left VADs allow for easy conversion to biventricular support using one platform, in the case of acute right ventricular failure. Pulsatile VADs still have a major role in the treatment of acute cardiogenic shock.
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