Uni Or Biventricular Circulatory Assist Devices: Selection Criteria, Choice Of The Device And Patients' Follow-Up.

Therapy of patients presenting with cardiogenic shock refractory to medical treatment can be undertaken with uni or biventricular circulatory assist devices. Pre implantation evaluation of patients is aimed at defining the etiology as well as the extent of uni versus biventricular heart failure, the possibility of recovery of myocardial function improvement of vital organ function and the possibility of cardiac transplantation. Circulatory assist devices must provide efficient support of the failing ventricles, allow recovery of myocardial function or cardiac transplantation under optimal circumstances. The choice of uni-biventricular support of total arficicial heart is discussed as well as criteria useful in defining a therapeutic strategy.