End-Stage Congestive Heart Failure in the Adult Population: Ventricular Assist Devices

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality within the adult population. If these patients progress to the end stages of this disease, then heart transplantation or ventricular support devices are required. However, due to a shortage of donor hearts, the use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) as either a bridge to transplant or destination support has grown dramatically as a therapy. Furthermore, with the increased use of these devices, there have been major efforts to further develop these technologies as well.