Mechanical Circulatory Support (Vademecum)

Mechanical circulatory support is a well established therapeutic modality for treating refractory heart failure in patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock, and approved cardiac transplant recipients who fail hemodynamically prior to the availability of a donor heart. In the near future, the indications for use of mechanical blood pumps may well expand to include temporary support in patients with acute myoicarditis, and for permanent implantation as an alternate to cardiac transplantation. This handbook is a concise, portable compendium that focuses on the clinical use of mechanical blood pumps. All aspects of mechanical circulatory support is addressed, including patient selection, preoperative preparation, operative management including surgical implantation techniques, anesthetic considerations and conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative management including complication associated with blood pump use and long-term care and rehabilitation.