John S. Ikonomidis, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, discusses the use of cardiac assist devices.

References and Resources
Pitsis AA, Kelpis TG, Visouli AN, Bobotis G, Filippatos GS, Kremastinos DT. Left ventricular assist device as a bridge to surgery in postinfarction ventricular septal defect. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008 Apr;135(4):951-2.

Poole-Wilson PA. Focus on mechanical assist devices for the treatment of heart failure. Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med. 2008 Feb;5(2):59.

Yacoub MH, Miller LW. Long-term left-ventricular-assist-device therapy is here to stay. Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med. 2008 Feb;5(2):60-1.