The current state of left ventricular assist devices: challenges facing further development

Abstract

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality. The use of left ventricular assist devices has improved outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure in the face of limited donor organs available for heart transplantation. This article describes current issues and limitations facing the left ventricular assist device field and explores how the field can be expanded in this setting.

Keywords:

• heart failure
• heart transplantation
• implantation
• left ventricular assist device

Financial & competing interests disclosure

M. Slaughter has received an educational grant from HeartWare Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.