Cardiac Mechanical Support

Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS), through the use of a ventricular assist device (VAD), is designed to provide short- or long-term cardiac support for patients whose hearts are damaged or diseased and unable to provide adequate blood flow. VAD therapy, along with heart transplantation, is the most advanced surgical treatment option for heart failure.

As a Center of Excellence actively investigating new devices for supporting the circulation of a failing heart, the U’s Cardiovascular Center Cardiac Mechanical Support Program is developing innovative alternatives to or as a bridge to heart transplants. We have the expertise and resources to care for a patient before and after surgery and throughout their life. Our program is a pioneer in mechanical circulatory support and ventricular assist devices.

Contact Us Phone (801)585-3188 Toll Free 800-824-2073 Extension 53188 Referring a Patient About the CMS Team

Resources What is a Ventricular Assist Device? Reasons for a Ventricular Assist Device Types of VAD devices Frequently Asked Questions

Clinical Trials

• Levacor VAD BTT Trial
• Jarvik 2000 BTT Trial

Related Documents

Diseases and Conditions

• Heart Failure
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Echocardiography (Echo)

Pediatric Diseases and Conditions

• Heart Failure in Children
• Heart Transplantation in Children
• The Heart

Videos

• Heart Failure

Tests and Procedures

• Heart Transplantation Procedure

Articles

• Live Well with Congestive Heart Failure
• Air Pollution Can Break Your Heart
• Balancing Act—When You Have Heart Failure and Diabetes

News

• A Cheap, Old Heart Drug May Help Elderly Heart Failure Patients
• After Hospital Discharge, Other Ills May Land Seniors Back in Again
• Avastin Won't Extend Breast Cancer Survival: Study
• Black Breast Cancer Survivors Face Higher Heart Failure Risk: Study
• Blood Test Plus Targeted Care May Stop Heart Failure Before It Starts
• Breast Cancer Drug May Harm the Heart More Than Thought
• Certain Diabetes Medications May Lower Heart Failure Risk
• Coffee Might Actually Help Your Heart
• Common Supplement May Help Patients Fight Heart Failure
• Defibrillator Patients Who Lose Weight May Fare Worse
• Docs: Heart Device Might Be Breakthrough for Muscular Dystrophy
• Erectile Dysfunction May Signal Hidden Heart Disease
• Exercise May Ease Depression Tied to Heart Failure
• Extra Pounds May Offer Protection to Heart Failure Patients
• Fish Oil Supplements Don't Protect Against Heart Trouble: Study
• For Hospitals, Lowered Death Rates May Not Mean More Readmissions
• Gene Therapy Shows Early Promise for Heart Failure
• Get Fit in Middle Age to Cut Heart Failure Risk, Study Says
• Half of Heart Patients Make Mistakes With Their Meds: Study
• Heart Drug Digoxin Tied to Higher Death Risk for Some Patients
• Heart Failure Drug May Only Help Heart's Function, Not Symptoms
• Heart Failure Drugs Put to the Test
• Heart Failure Patients May Be at Higher Risk for Cancer: Study
• Heart Muscle Cells Regenerate in Kids, Research Shows
• Heart Risks Last Beyond Hospital Discharge, Study Finds
• Heart Scarring May Be More Dangerous Than Thought, Study Suggests
• Herceptin May Carry Higher Heart Risks for Women Than Thought
• Hospital Readmissions All Too Common, U.S. Studies Find
• Injected 'Hydrogel' May Help Repair Failing Hearts
• Insomnia Might Boost Heart Failure Risk
• Mechanical Device Helps Kids Waiting for Heart Transplant
• Medicare Coverage Gap May Cause Seniors to Forgo Antidepressants
• Midlife Fitness May Mean Healthier Old Age, Study Finds
• Minorities Less Likely to Use Hospice Care: Study
• Monday Best Time for Hospitalization With Heart Failure, Study Says
• New Drugs Might Give Heart Patients an Edge
• New Research Suggests HRT May Lower Heart Risks
• 'Nordic Walking' a Winner for Heart Failure Patients, Study Says
• Pregnancy Hormone Shows Promise as Heart Failure Drug
• Regular Exercise May Help Seniors Stave Off Heart Failure
• Simple Breath Test Might Diagnose Heart Failure
• Small Babies Can Be Sign of Heart Problems in Mother
• Stem Cells From Donor May Help Heal Heart
• Stem Cells Show Promise as Heart Failure Treatment
• Two Years On, Stem Cells Still Healing Damaged Hearts
• U.S. Heart Failure Costs Could Skyrocket: Report
• Ultrasound Allows Early Detection of Fluid in Dialysis Patients' Lungs
• Ultrasound Waves, Bone Marrow Cells Show Promise in Heart Failure Patients
• Underactive Thyroid and Heart Failure a Bad Combination: Study
• Viagra, Aliskiren Not Helpful for Heart Failure After All: Studies
• Winter Holds Many Hazards for Seniors, Expert Warns

Drug Reference

• Dobutamine
• Hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata
• Milrinone
• Nesiritide, BNP
• Dopamine
• Inamrinone
• Nitroprusside
• Coenzyme Q-10
• Magnesium
• Bisoprolol
• Captopril
• Carvedilol
• Cyclosporine
• Digitoxin
• Digoxin
• Enalapril, Enalaprilat
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Hydralazine; Isosorbide Dinitrate, ISDN
• Lisinopril
• Metoprolol
• Muromonab-CD3
• Mycophenolate
• Nicardipine
• Nitroglycerin
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Valsartan