Mechanical treatment of heart failure: the growing role of LVADs and artificial hearts.

Cleve Clin J Med · 2003

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Abstract

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and artificial hearts are improving. These devices can prolong a patient's life while on a heart transplant list. More exciting, mechanical assistance may provide an opportunity for a damaged heart to recover some function. Still, despite the promise, the use of these devices raises some difficult cost-benefit and ethical questions.