The future of mechanical circulatory support.

Heart failure is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in adults and the elderly. In the United States, an estimated 5 million persons already have heart failure, and more than 500,000 new cases are being diagnosed each year [ 1]. Today, cardiovascular physicians can choose from a wide range of mechanical circulatory systems, depending on the desired degree of support, length of support, extent of postoperative mobility and other factors. This article describes the growing problem of heart failure and the future prospects for patients with heart disease. It discusses current mechanical circulatory support devices and their changing applications, newer devices still in the experimental stages, and some hurdles to the use of mechanical circulatory support.