Table 1

Mechanical blood pumps currently used for the treatment of cardiogenic shock

Device typePump nameApproximate duration of supportApproximate device cost per intervention
Percutaneous ECMO

  • Biomedicus

  • Maquet Rotaflow

  • Levitronix Centrimag

Days (3–28)£6000–10 000
Percutaneous LVAD

  • Impella

  • Tandem heart

Days (3–7)£10 000–15 000
Temporary pulsatile VAD

  • Abiomed BVS 5000

  • Thoratec PVAD/IVAD

  • Berlin excor

Weeks (1–26)£20 000–25 000
Temporary rotary VAD*Levitronix centrimagWeeks (1–12)£6000–8000
Long-term pulsatile LVADHeartmate XVEMonths (3–24)£60 000
Long-term rotary LVAD

  • Micromed deBakey

  • Jarvik 2000

  • Heartmate II

  • Heartware (HVAD)

  • Berlin incor

  • Terumo Duraheart

Years (so far up to 8 years)£60 000–80 000
Total artificial heartSyncardiaMonths (bridge to transplant only)£100 000

  • ↵* Rotary refers to axial or centrifugal continuous pumping mechanisms which provide non-pulsatile blood flow.

  • ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; VAD, ventricular assist device (LVAD or RVAD).