Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025.
World J Transplant. Jun 18, 2025; 15(2): 100460
Published online Jun 18, 2025. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v15.i2.100460
Table 3 Overview of mechanical circulatory support devices, indications, complications, and contraindications
Category
Device
Description
Indications
Complications
Contraindications
Left ventricular supportIABPUses counter pulsations of a balloon in the descending aorta to improve coronary perfusion and cardiac outputAMI with cardiogenic shock, high-risk PCIVascular complications (stroke, limb ischemia), thrombocytopenia, infectionSevere aortic regurgitation, aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, peripheral vascular disease
Impella (2.5, CP, 5.5)Nonpulsatile micro axial flow pumps providing up to 5 L/minute support. Available in various models for different levels of LV supportCardiogenic shock, high-risk PCIBleeding, vascular injury, infection, hemolysis, pump migrationSevere peripheral vascular disease, severe aortic stenosis, LV thrombus, mechanical aortic valves
HeartMate percutaneous heart pumpMicroaxial three-blade impeller pump providing flows up to 5 L/minuteHigh-risk PCIDevice malfunction, bleeding, thromboembolismSevere peripheral vascular disease, LV thrombus, mechanical aortic valves
Right ventricular supportImpella RPMinimally invasive microaxial flow pump providing up to 4 L/minute support for RVRight ventricular failure, postcardiac surgerySimilar to other Impella devicesTricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary regurgitation
TandemHeartCentrifugal continuous flow pump providing 3.5-5 L/minute support, placed via femoral artery and left atriumAcute RV failure, especially in postcardiac surgeryBleeding, thromboembolism, limb ischemiaAortic regurgitation, peripheral vascular disease
Protek DuoDual-lumen cannula with centrifugal pump for RV supportRV failure, often after LVAD implantationSimilar to other centrifugal devicesSimilar to other centrifugal devices
CentriMag and RotaflowMagnetically levitated centrifugal flow pumps providing up to 10 L/minuteShort-term support in severe cases, including postcardiotomyBleeding, infection, device failureSpecific contraindications not detailed
Short-term MCS in structural heart valve interventionsIABPUsed to support patients undergoing valve interventions, but may worsen aortic regurgitationStructural heart disease, transcatheter valve implantationWorsening aortic regurgitation
ImpellaUsed for aortic stenosis with LV dysfunction, but may worsen stenosisAortic stenosis, LV dysfunctionNarrowing of valve orifice, embolic eventsSevere aortic stenosis
TandemHeartLimited due to transseptal puncture requirements and increased support timeAortic stenosis, high-risk interventionsComplications of transseptal punctureSevere aortic stenosis
ECMOProvides both cardiac and pulmonary support, can be used in various emergent situationsCardiopulmonary failure, CPR assistanceHarlequin syndrome, bleeding, infectionMultiorgan failure, severe aortic regurgitation
Long-term mechanical circulatory supportDurable MCS devicesIncludes continuous flow devices (axial and centrifugal) and pulsatile devicesEnd-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions, generally no broad contraindications
INCOR®Berlin Heart. First implant 2002, CE mark 2003End-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions
HVAD®Medtronic. CE mark 2008, FDA approval BTT 2012, FDA approval lateral implantation 2015End-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions
HeartMate II®Abbott Laboratories. First implant 2003, FDA approval BTT 2008, DT 2010End-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions
HeartMate 3®Abbott Laboratories. First implant 2014, CE mark 2015End-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions
EVAHEART 2®Evaheart Inc. First implants 2005 in Japan, IDE approval by FDA, BTT trial ongoingEnd-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions
Jarvik 2000®Jarvik Heart. First implant 2000, CE mark 2005, FDA approval BTT 2005, DT trial ongoingEnd-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions
Heart Assist 5®Reliant Heart Inc. First implant 1998, CE mark 2001, BTT trial ongoingEnd-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions
EXCOR®Berlin Heart. First implant 1990, CE mark 1996End-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions
SynCardia total artificial hearts®SynCardia. First implant 1986, FDA approval BTT 2004End-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions
Carmat total artificial hearts®Carmat SA. First implant 2013, investigational deviceEnd-stage heart failureDevice-related complications and failurePatient-specific conditions