Modern applications have expanded beyond original purpose:
Bridge to cardiac transplant
Temporizing measure for cardiomyopathies that are expected to resolve
Destination therapy for patients who will not undergo cardiac transplant
Indication is New York Heart Association class 4 heart failure, ejection fraction <25%, VO2 max less than 15 among other criteria
Goal of a VAD is to<unk>  the ventricle and augment cardiac output
Bridge to cardiac transplant
Temporizing measure for cardiomyopathies that are expected to resolve
Destination therapy for patients who will not undergo cardiac transplant
Pump = Internal pump (usually placed in preperitoneal space), takes blood from a cannula in the apex of the<unk>  ventricle and pumps it into the aorta
Driveline = Percutaneous cable that exits the abdominal wall, connects pump to external components (controller, battery)
Controller = External "box" containing computer for the<unk>  that monitors pump performance, has a display screen and controls for settings/alarms/diagnostics, and will display will show pump speed in RPM and pump output in L/min
Power Supply = Controller can be connected to batteries for patient mobility, or to a "power base station" that plugs into the wall for home use
(Most common type in use today)
Left ventricular assist device complications
Bleeding - most common reason for ED visit, most common in first month after implant 
Heart transplant complications
GI bleeding is the most common source 
Aortic endograft complications
Mechanisms:
Cardiac ablation complications
Acquired Von Willebrand Disease 