Nature’s right ventricle—limited by design

Right ventricular failure remains a vexing currently unreconcilable problem in modern cardiac surgery. The etiology is multifactorial, the prevalence significant, and the mortality risk substantial. Management paradigms of right ventricle (RV) failure have undergone historical changes as our experiences in advanced mechanical circulatory support have evolved (1-6). Our current treatment options, however, remain limited even as our understanding of the optimal management evolves.