Left ventricular assist system with a magnetically levitated impeller technology

After the accumulation of clinical experience with the current generation of pulsatile implantable left ventricular assist systems (LVAS), these devices have demonstrated major limitations: high incidence of thromboembolic complications; large size; high infection rate; and limited long-term durability. To address the limitations of current-generation LVAS, second- and third-generation LVAS utilizing rotary blood pump technology are currently undergoing clinical trials and the final stage of product development. Among them, the rotary blood pump with a magnetically levitated impeller is one of the most promising pumps for long-term circulatory assist. The Terumo DuraHeart LVAS is one of the third-generation LVAS using a centrifugal pump with a magnetically levitated impeller. This article describes the characteristics of the DuraHeart LVAS and its development status.