Mechanical treatment of heart failure: The growing role of LVADs and artificial hearts
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2003 March;70(3):223-226, 229-233
March 1, 2003|Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
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ABSTRACTLeft ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and artificial hearts are improving. These devices can prolong a patient's life while on a heart transplant list. More exciting, mechanical assistance may provide an opportunity for a damaged heart to recover some function. Still, despite the promise, the use of these devices raises some difficult cost-benefit and ethical questions.
