As the population ages, the medical profession predicts that the prevalence of heart failure will continue to increase at least through 2030. Advances in medical and surgical therapy are allowing more people to survive acute cardiac events and to live longer with heart failure; however, morbidity and mortality remain high. MCS has become mainstay therapy for severe acute and chronic heart failure. Management of heart failure patients receiving mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is complex and requires care from multiple medical specialties to achieve positive outcomes.

The purpose of this book is to provide comprehensive contemporary information on the management of patients with acute or chronic severe heart failure who are being treated with MCS. The main emphasis throughout this book is management based on current best practices. There are three sections: (1) Management of Acute Heart Failure, (2) Management of Chronic Heart Failure, and (3) Special Considerations in the Management of Advanced Heart Failure. The first two sections begin with overview chapters to provide a basis for the subsequent chapters.

This book is a must-have resource for general Cardiologists, Heart Failure Cardiologists, Cardiac Surgeons, Intensivists, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Perfusionists and ventricular assist device (VAD) Coordinators. Topics covered in the text will also be of interest to Radiologists, Hematologists and Pathologists. Postgraduate trainees in cardiovascular medicine will be a key readership. Students in medicine and nursing will use this text to gather a basic understanding of the care of patient with severe heart failure.

Igor D. Gregoric, MD

Chief and Program Director, Surgical Division, Center for Advanced Heart Failure

The University of Texas Health Science Center-McGovern Medical School

Houston, Texas

Timothy J Myers, BS

Consultant and Medical Writer, Center for Advanced Heart Failure

The University of Texas Health Science Center -McGovern Medical School

Houston, Texas

Maks Mihalj, MD

Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, Texas USA