Prospects for permanent mechanical circulatory support

Abstract

In the United States heart failure remains a common cause of death and disability and is the single largest hospital discharge diagnosis. Some 3 to 4 million U.S. citizens suffer this condition and the age-adjusted death rate for both men and women has doubled over the last two decades. The risk of premature death for all heart failure patients is 60–70% at 5 years. For patients with advanced heart failure the 1-year survival is 40–50%. Cardiac transplant is a desirable treatment for many of these patients but is application is limited (1).