Review article : Current status and use of artificial hearts and circulatory assist devices

Abstract

In a critical review, current status of artificial hearts and cardiac assist devices is discussed, based on 300000 clinical implantations of intra-aortic balloon pumps, 278 clinical cases of ventricular assist devices and 17 total artificial heart implants. It is justified to implant mechanical hearts as a bridge towards transplantation. Mechanical cardiac assistance has become almost a routine for teams dealing with cardiac transplantation.