(Source: American College of Cardiology Foundation) Interest in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) developed concurrently with interest in cardiopulmonary bypass and open-heart surgery in the 1950s. Success in the development of long-term MCS should be credited to the collaborative approach between the National, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; industries; and cardiology and cardiac surgery programs in the 1960s. This collaborative relationship was the origin of the first 'heart team.' The lack of heart donors and contraindications to heart transplantation further stimulated the necessity for the heart team. Patients with advanced heart failure needing MCS are severely limited with...
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