Cardiac assist devices have become an important therapy for patients with end-stage cardiac failure. These devices continue to evolve. Most current devices provide temporary, left-sided support for patients with cardiogenic shock from postcardiotomy syndrome or for patients awaiting cardiac transplantation. The two most frequently used left ventricular assist devices as a bridge to transplant are the Thermocardiosystems (HeartMate I) and the Novacor devices. The selection criteria for the use of these devices and treatment of these patients will be reviewed. Additionally, other currently available devices and future devices are also presented and discussed.

Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An effective method for the intracellular recording of repetitive action potential trains lasting several seconds in frog toe muscle fibers.

A technique is described for the reliable intracellular recording of repetitive action potentials in frogs' skeletal muscles kept in unmodified Ringer's solution. With this technique we were able to reliably record action potentials at frequencies up to 100 Hz with stimulus trains lasting up to 4 sec.

Action Potentials↗