<unk>  is a<unk>  that is final rather than being a transitional stage until another<unk> —thus, in transportation metaphor, a<unk>  in itself rather than merely a bridge or road to the<unk> . The term usually refers to ventricular assist devices or mechanical circulatory support to keep the existing heart going, not just until a heart transplant can occur, but for the rest of the patient's life expectancy. It is thus a course of treatment for severe (e.g., NYHA class IV/ACC stage D) heart failure patients who are not likely candidates for transplant. In contrast, bridge-to-transplant<unk>  is a way to stay alive long enough, and stay healthy enough, to await transplant while maintaining eligibility for transplant. Heart failure is a leading cause of death in industrialized economies. Among those suffering from serious heart illness some are, for a variety of possible medical circumstances, ineligible for a heart transplant.<unk>  provides a possibility to extend their lives and improve their quality of life. In addition,<unk>  may in some cases turn out to remedy the condition that excluded transplantation Estimates place the population in the United States that may benefit from<unk>  at 50,000 – 100,000 patients per year. The addressable population outside of the US is thought be similar in size.
Destination therapy
Antisense therapy
Aversion therapy
Differentiation therapy
Collaborative therapy
Cytoluminescent therapy
Sex therapy
Recreational therapy