Affiliation:
1. Western University, Canada
Abstract
An increasingly important component of the therapeutic armamentarium in the treatment of cardiac and cardiopulmonary pathology, utilization of mechanical circulatory support allows clinicians to help sicker patients with more advanced disease states. A plethora of options exist, each with multiple implant techniques and management strategies. To optimize patient care in a cost-conscious environment, one must understand the advantages and disadvantages of each permutation, and have an algorithmic approach for the selection and application of available technologies. This chapter aims to provide such an understanding by reviewing surgical implant techniques and peri-operative management strategies for a number of commonly used short-term and durable devices.