HEART-ASSIST DEVICE

Typical Number in Hospital:

Cost Bands:

References: 4

This may be an intra-aortic balloon or a Blood pump. Intra- aortic balloons are positioned in the descending aorta via an incision in the femoral artery and assist the heart by inflating during diastole and deflating during systole, triggered by the ECG. Blood pumps for assisting left ventricular action are usually based on the 'pusher plate' principle and may be pneumatic, hydraulic, or cam-driven. Since there is no space in the thorax for the device it can be implanted in the abdomen or can be external to the body. Operation can be triggered by the ECG.

Except for intra-aortic balloons, these devices are not in common use. The most common application is for patients unable to be weaned from pump-oxygenators.