Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Aug 27.
Published in final edited form as: Nat Rev Cardiol. 2012 Dec 11;10(2):98–110. doi: 10.1038/nrcardio.2012.178

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Designs of LVADs. a | Pulsatile-flow devices use positive displacement pumps to propel blood throughout the body as a healthy ventricle would do. Although pulsatile flow is seemingly more physiological, left ventricular unloading and haemodynamic improvement is comparable to that achieved with continuous-flow pumps. b | Continuous-flow devices use either centrifugal or axial-flow pumps to propel blood continuously throughout the body. These devices are more reliable, have a longer functional life, and operate more quietly than pulsatile devices. Abbreviation: LVAD, left ventricular assist device.