The Development of Low-cost Temporary and Permanent Circulatory Assist Devices

There is a growing realization in the United States (US) that the resources available for providing health care are finite. As a direct result of this perceived need for containing health care costs, technological innovation in medicine is increasingly being examined on a cost/benefit basis as well as on the basis of its efficacy. The mere fact that something is technically possible is no longer considered to be sufficient justification for funding continued research or providing patient care with costly treatment modalities. Expressed more directly, the days of preserving life at any cost appear to be over in this country.