HeartMate® II left ventricular assist device:: a new device for advanced heart failure

Since the initial use of artificial heart devices decades ago, advances in technology have yielded new artificial heart devices that can finally achieve the goal of providing life-saving treatment and good quality of life in terminally ill patients with heart failure. The HeartMate(R) II left ventricular assist device is a new generation of device that is small, quiet and relatively easy to implant. A pilot study in the USA recently completed enrollment, and the pivotal trial is now underway to study this device in patients who are awaiting transplant and patients who are not candidates for transplant. To date, the results look promising that this device may be widely applicable to patients who have heart failure that do not respond to conventional treatments.