Mechanical treatment of heart failure: the growing role of LVADs and artificial hearts

Cleve Clin J Med. 2003 Mar;70(3):223-6, 229-33. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.70.3.223.

Abstract

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and artificial hearts are improving. These devices can prolong a patient's life while on a heart transplant list. More exciting, mechanical assistance may provide an opportunity for a damaged heart to recover some function. Still, despite the promise, the use of these devices raises some difficult cost-benefit and ethical questions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis
  • Heart Failure / mortality*
  • Heart Failure / therapy*
  • Heart, Artificial / statistics & numerical data*
  • Heart-Assist Devices / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Selection
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / mortality*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / therapy*