Save. Support. Restore.

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) therapy boosts hemodynamic function in failing hearts via ventricular assist devices (VADs). For cardiac transplant-eligible patients facing an extended wait for a donor heart, MCS can provide Bridge-to-Transplantation Therapy, both for intermediate support and for optimization of long-term transplant outcomes.³ Patients who are ineligible for transplant may benefit from MCS as Destination Therapy, which provides chronic support.⁴ For other patients unable to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass, MCS can provide support during the Post-Cardiotomy Recovery period.⁵ Some VADs are specially designed to provide short-term support in acute hemodynamic compromise while more definitive treatment decisions are made.⁵

MCS can trigger a favorable physiological cascade of events, significantly improving both survival and quality of life. Cardiac output is restored at once, enhancing the functioning of end organs such as the liver and kidneys. Molecular and cellular improvements in the myocardium follow, as well as improvement in neurohormonal modulation. With timely intervention, most NYHA Class IV patients treated with a VAD improve to NYHA Class I or II.^6-8 Indeed, there are even patients for whom VAD therapy serves as a bridge to full recovery, allowing device removal.⁹

Documented Benefits of MCS

• Restoration of hemodynamics
• Reduced mortality
• Improved cardiac output
• Improved NYHA functional status
• Improved quality of life
• Improved end-organ (renal and hepatic) function

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