Percutaneous mechanical devices for supporting the left ventricular failure

This article reviews the indications, contraindications, functionality, and complications for various percutaneous devices that can be used to support the left ventricular failure. We also reviews the anesthetic effect for these devices. A literature review was performed using PubMed. When the heart experiences end-stage systolic ventricular failure, it is generally unable to restore its practical function with pharmacological therapy alone. Percutaneous ventricular support devices have been introduced and used successfully to support a failing ventricle in a variety of settings. These devices include intra-aortic balloon pump, TandemHeart, and Impeller, as well as veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for left ventricular support. These devices are typically accessed percutaneously through the femoral vessels and/or the jugular vein(s), although other sites are possible in unique cases.