Biventricular mechanical circulatory support. History and current state of the problem

Medical management of end-stage chronic heart failure (HF) has evolved significantly over the past few decades. With a better understanding of the pathophysiology of HF, new pharmacological agents have been synthesized. However, survival in this cohort of patients with medical treatment remains extremely low. This has stimulated the development of surgical methods of treatment. Recent technological advances in the development of mechanical circulatory assist devices have made possible a single-stage implantation of two centrifugal pumps as an alternative to a total artificial heart. Today ventricular assist devices can be implanted to provide both univentricular and biventricular support depending on the severity of hemodynamic disorders, target organ damage, likelihood of recovery and heart transplantation.