Mechanical Circulatory Support Program
The Johns Hopkins Hospital Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) Program began in 1986 with success in improving the survival of many patients. These devices are also used as destination therapy, a means of improving quality of life for end stage heart failure patients, who do not qualify for a heart transplant.
The program offers a variety of ventricular assist devices. Each one is designed to address specific patient conditions. Our physicians will discuss with each patient the options and select the device that is most suited for that patient.
Our MCS team consists of highly trained and committed clinicians who are dedicated to providing our patients with the best care available. The team includes cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, operating room clinicians, the cardiac surgical intensive care unit (CSICU) team, the cardiac progressive care unit (CPCU) team, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, social workers, transport personnel, and MCS coordinators.
Our approach to caring for a patient with a ventricular assist device implant is different in many areas. We fully believe in developing a relationship with the patients and their families so that they may have a comfortable and trusting group of care givers around them at all times. We remain active throughout the pre-operative evaluation phase, during the surgery, while recovering from surgery in the hospital, and after discharge while adjusting to a new life at home with the new device.