Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Mechanical circulatory support has emerged as an important option for patients with advanced heart failure. In recent years, new technological advancements to the devices have prompted extending their use in the treatment of heart fail-ure. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have evolved from providing temporary support of critically ill patients to long-term destination therapy in a select population. As these devices continue to improve, they will undoubtedly play a key role in every physicians practice for the manage-ment of heart failure. Heart failure is the only cardiac disease that continues to grow in prevalence despite our vast advances in cardiac care. The increasing prevalence of heart failure is the result of a patient population of advancing age and the improved management of coronary heart disease. Patients who sur