The FDA approved the use of the HeartMate II device, a left
ventricular assist device (VAD), for "destination therapy" or
permanent use, allowing an alternative to heart transplant for
end-stage heart-failure patients and helping patients survive
long term. "This is an opportunity to expand the use of
mechanical assist devices in patients with advanced heart
failure who are deemed not to be good heart transplant
candidates," says Greg Ewald, MD, medical director of the
artificial heart program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and
Washington University School of Medicine. "These devices can
provide long-term mechanical therapy, and many of these patients
can return to a good quality of life with significantly
diminished symptoms." VADs help a failing heart pump oxygen-rich
blood through the body. They are surgically implanted in the
chest cavity and attached to the heart’s left ventricle. An
electric cable runs from the device through the skin to a pack
containing a power supply and the pump’s controller. "These devi