Mechanical circulatory support for end-stage heart failure

Mechanical circulatory assistance has become a frequent therapeutic option for patients with advanced heart failure. For patients with acute cardiogenic shock and impaired organ function, short-term assistance with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is the leading therapeutic option. It enables a “bridge to decision-making” i.e. withdrawal of the device after myocardial recovery or after recognition of therapeutic futility, or as a bridge-to-transplantation or to long-term mechanical support. For Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) class 2-6 patients, implantation of a long-term ventricular assist-device (VAD) should be considered before progression to multiple organ failure if heart transplantation is not a first-line option. Most patients receive a miniaturized axial or centrifugal fully implantable left VAD as a bridge-to-transplantation or as “destination therapy” in this setting.