Ventricular assist devices: a snapshot into the current state of technology

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have changed the landscape of how end stage heart failure is treated. Despite the inconvenience of drive lines and batteries, the improvement in quality of life that these devices offer patients is undeniable. Further advances in technology combined with better understanding of patient selection and refined surgical techniques have led to unparalleled outcomes in terms of 1-year survival. The indications for short-term devices, bi-ventricular devices and risk scores in minimizing post-LVAD heart failure have continued to propel this technology into the future.