VADs are used in the management of chronic heart failure after exhausting medical therapy. Both durable and temporary devices can be used as a bridge to recovery or transplantation. Durable devices can also serve as destination therapy in patients who do not qualify for transplantation.

Temporary VADs, IABPs, and veno-arterial (VA) ECMO can be used to manage refractory post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock. VA ECMO provides biventricular and respiratory support, while VADs can be used for right, left, or biventricular support. These devices are discussed in detail in Chapter 6: Mechanical Circulatory Support.

References

• Balthazar T, Vandenbriele C, Verbrugge FH, et al. Managing patients with short-term mechanical circulatory support: JACC review topic of the week. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;77:1243-1256.
• Dangl M, Albosta M, Butros H, Loebe M. Temporary mechanical circulatory support: left, right, and biventricular devices. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2023;19:27-42.