FDA Approves Use of Temporary Pump to Assist Heart's Right Side
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) for the first heart pump that provides certain critically ill patients with temporary support for the right side of their heart. Heart assist devices are mechanical pumps that aid in the pumping action of a weakened heart. Most heart assist devices support the heart's left ventricle, which pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. The CentriMag Right Ventricular Assist System is intended for patients requiring support for the heart's right ventricle, which passes oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs to be refreshed with oxygen.