Includes bibliographical references and index.

Descent into heart and lung failure -- Heart and lung transplantation -- First-generation ventricular assist devices -- Second-generation ventricular assist devices -- Third-generation ventricular assist devices -- Biventricular assist devices -- Total artificial hearts -- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation -- Pediatric devices -- Hydraulic design -- Motor design and impelier suspension -- Pulsatile vs. continuous flow -- Preclinical evaluation -- Optimizing the patient and timing of the circulatory and extracorporeal respiratory support -- Surgical implantation -- Complications of mechanical circulatory and respiratory support -- Medical management of the supported patient -- Cannula design -- Blood-device interaction -- Physiological control -- Percutaneous and transcutaneous connections -- Wearable systems -- Route to market -- Cost-effectiveness -- The past, present and future.