Defining the role for percutaneous mechanical circulatory support devices for medically refractory heart failure

Despite significant advances in the management of heart failure, short-term mortality due to advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock remains high. Developed over the past few decades, percutaneous circulatory support devices offer a rapid and effective approach to slow the downward spiral of hemodynamic instability in patients presenting with decompensated heart failure until a more definitive strategy is pursued or patients recover. This review will discuss the goals of percutaneous circulatory support, the types of devices currently available, and the most recent clinical datasets examining the utility of these devices. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.