Cardiac mechanical circulatory support

Q: Cardiac mechanical circulatory support/devices can be used as 

A) Bridge to transplantation 
B) Bridge to decision 
C) Destination therapy 
D) Bridge to recovery
E) All of the above


Answer: E

Objective of above question is to bring in light the rapidly expanded role of cardiac devices in the field of cardiology. In contrast to previous practice, circulatory assist devices are in use very frequently even as a permanent destination therapy or as a bridge till team can reach on decision for further treatment plan (vs palliative care). These include right or left ventricular assist devices (RVAD or LVAD), biventricular device (BiVAD), total artificial heart (TAH), ProtekDuo cannula and others.



Reference: 

McMurray JJ, Adamopoulos S, Anker SD, et al. ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure 2012: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure 2012 of the European Society of Cardiology. Developed in collaboration with the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC. Eur Heart J 2012; 33:1787.