Abstract Mechanical support of the heart can be offered to patients who are refractory to pharmacological treatment, therapy for coronary or valvular disease or resynchronization therapy. Ventricular assist devices enable end-organ perfusion in the setting of heart failure. This can be temporary (as a bridge to recovery or transplantation) or permanent (destination therapy). Devices can be ex…
Abstract More than 7000 cardiopulmonary transplants were carried out worldwide in 2012 across the 388 centres reporting to the International Registry. The Registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation reported 4196 heart transplants and 3812 lung transplants worldwide in 2012. The 100,000th heart transplant mark has been passed. Heart transplantation is a proven surg…