Physicians are generally aware of the use of bypass pumps during open
heart surgery and of the intraaortic balloon pump in treatment of card
iogenic shock, In selected research centers, other advanced methods of
cardiopulmonary support are being introduced, Some devices such as th
e total artificial heart fail clinical trials and disappear from use,
Others, like some of the partial artificial hearts, improve outcomes a
nd gain wider clinical use, Some devices temporarily support the circu
lation in patients recovering from acute circulatory collapse, whereas
others provide longer-term circulatory support for patients awaiting
transplantation, Permanently implanted devices provide circulatory ass
istance in cases of chronic, debilitating heart failure, Technology to
support lung function in the setting of acute respiratory failure, al
lowing heating to take place, is also under study, Radiologists should
be familiar with the operating principles and radiographic appearance
s of these emerging techniques to maintain their role as consultants t
o cardiopulmonary specialists.