Mechanical circulatory support: state of the art and future perspectives.

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has been viewed, until recently, as a rescue therapy to be applied when all else fails. Not surprisingly, this has resulted in suboptimal outcomes. Fortunately, the perseverance of a few dedicated groups has produced improved outcomes and the concept of MCS as an elective therapy is now steadily gaining acceptance.

Novacor left ventricular assist system long-term performance: comparison of clinical experience with demonstrated in vitro reliability.

Since the first implant of the Novacor wearable left ventricular assist system (LVAS) in 1993, median implant duration worldwide has increased from 93 days (max 2.2 years) to 202 days (max 4.1 years) in May 2001.

Flight experience with the Novacor LVAS.

As Novacor LVAS recipients continue to be discharged from the hospital to await cardiac transplantation, an increasing number of patients either need or desire to use air transportation. To date, two test experiences have been reported with the Novacor LVAS operating in a mock circulatory loop during air travel. One involved the transport of a mock loop on a medical helicopter, and another preceded an international flight of an LVAS recipient from Japan to the United States.