Left Ventricular Assist Devices, An Issue of Cardiology Clinics (Volume 29-4) (The Clinics: Internal Medicine, Volume 29-4)

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a surgically implanted pump that helps the left ventricle pump blood to the rest of the body.  The purpose of this issue is to let cardiologists know about the latest devices, their complications, and the clinical situations in which they are most beneficial.