Abstract
Technological advances and growing expertise has lead to referral of much sicker patients
with a greater incidence of heart failure prior to and after cardiac surgical procedures.
The diversity of the heart failure patient cohort mandates a differentiated protocol
for mechanical support adapted to the clinical requirements. It is desirable to have
appropriate mechanical support available for different circumstances of heart failure.
In this paper, we review the first decade of the Muenster University Hospital experience
with the use of intra-aortic ballon pump, extracorporal membrane oxygenators, short
term uni- and biventricular assist systems such as Thoratec and Medos devices, as
well as long term left ventricular assist systems such as the TCI Herartmate and the
Novacor system. The patient profiles, indications, contraindications, and future trends
are reviewed within the framework of a contemporary university hospital Servive.
Key words
Mechanical circulatory support - Heart failure - Single center experience
