Advances in Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Mechanical Circulatory Support

Recent technologic advances have resulted in the availability of percutaneous and minimally invasive surgical devices for temporary mechanical circulatory support. These may be deployed rapidly without the requirement for sternotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass. In addition, third generation implantable left ventricular assist devices have been compared with second generation devices in 2 recent randomized controlled trials. The aim of this article is to provide a current review of the recent literature relating to left ventricular assist devices and mechanical circulatory support.